The Romans were not only great at building a global empire, their brightest minds could teach cryptocurrency enthusiasts today a lesson in investing. Here are some pertinent quotes from famous Roman philosophers.

“If you have overcome your inclination and not been overcome by it, you have reason to rejoice.” - Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC)

Plautus was a Roman playwright. This quote warns cryptocurrency investors not to let their inclination to FOMO or panic sell overcome their internal voice of reason. If they didn’t give in, they wouldn’t get rekt and have reason to rejoice in staying wealthy.

“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” - Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC)

Julius Caesar was a famous Roman general. This quote tells cryptocurrency investors that investing is a game of patience. It’s going to be painful watching their coin stay in a range for days, only occasionally wicking off in different directions to liquidate a few 100x margin positions on Bitmex. It can’t be perpetually November 2017 but when the next pump comes, the patient will be well rewarded.

“Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate.” - Gaius Sallustius Crispus (86 BC – 34 BC)

Sallust was the very first man from his provincial plebeian family to serve in the Roman senate. This quote warns cryptocurrency investors not to let social media shilling or FUDing get to them. The shills want to sell their bags and the FUD’ers want to buy lower. Once your emotions subside, you might’ve just bought the top or sold the bottom. Not ideal.

“An angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason.” - Publilius Syrus (85 BC – 43 BC)

Publilius was a Latin mime writer. The quote warns of panic selling. When the oversold bouce comes, the only person you can be mad at is yourself.

“The lofty pine is oftenest shaken by the winds; High towers fall with a heavier crash; And the lightning strikes the highest mountain.” - Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65 BC – 8 BC)

Horace was a Roman lyric poet. FOMO pumps are often followed by large retracements. Look at Bitcoin after pumping from 3k to 20k in a few months last year. It only recently came back from 6k.

“Rome has grown since its humble beginnings that it is now overwhelmed by its own greatness.” Titus Livius (59 BC – 17 AD)

Bitcoin is like Rome. From its humble beginnings of being a small experiment started by an unknown cryptographer and software developer to the multi-billion dollar market cap asset it is today, Bitcoin has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Its tremendous surge in popularity overwhelmed Bitcoin’s transaction capacity, partially resulting in the massive clogging of the blockchain earlier in the year with sky rocketing fees and long confirmation times.

“Hope is the pillar that holds up the world. Hope is the dream of a waking man.” - Gaius Plinius Secundus (23 AD – 79 AD)

Pliny the Elder was a Roman philosopher. He might be the original #HODLGANG member.

“If there is a God, whence proceed so many evils? If there is no God, whence cometh any good?” - Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius (480 AD – 525 AD)

If there is a God, why are there 80% retracements? If there is no God, why are there parabolic FOMO pumps?

“Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.” - Marcus Aurelius (121 AD - 180 AD)

Of course, we can’t have a Roman quote compilation without one from Marcus Aurelius, the famous Roman emperor. In this quote, he is suggesting that no one is born a bear, which implies that everyone is born an eternal bull. Bitcoin to the moon.

He might also be referring to something completely different.