Traitors. Proditores etiam iis, quos anteponunt, invisi sunt. "Traitors are despised even by those whom they assist."— Ann. I. 58. Prudence. Violence. Plura consilio quam vi perficimus. "We accomplish more by prudence than by violence.". · Ann. II, 26. Truth. Falsehood. Veritas visu et mora, falsa festinatione et incertis vales cunt. "Truth develops by inspection and delay; falsehood, by haste and confusion."-- Ann. II, 39. Judgment. Experience. Pauci prudentia honesta ab deterioribus, utilia ab noxiis, discernunt; plures aliorum eventis docentur. "Few are able, of their own discernment merely, to discriminate between the vicious and the good; many are taught by the experience of others."- Ann. IV, 33. Calumny. Anger. Spreta exolescunt: si irascare, agnita videntur. Calumny, when disregarded, disappears; if it stirs up anger, it seems partly confessed."— Ann. IV, 34. Happiness. Courage. Adversity. Multos qui conflictari adversis videantur, beatos; ac plerosque quanquam magnas per opes, miserrimos: si illi gravem fortunam constanter tolerant, hi prospera inconsulte utantur. "Many are happy who seem overwhelmed with adversity, while others in the midst of opulence are wretched. It all depends upon the. bravery with which the former meet misfortune, and the inconsiderate way in which the latter enjoy their wealth.”- - Ann. VI, 22. Reputation. Merit. Nihil rerum mortalium tam instabile ac fluxum est, quam fama potentiae, non sua vi nixa. "There is nothing in human affairs so unreliable and disappointing as the reputation which comes from popular favor, and is unsupported by intrinsic merit.”. Ann. XIII, 19. Power. Government. Cupido dominandi cunctis affectibus flagrantior est. "The impulse for ruling is stronger than all other feelings." — Ann. XV, 53. Obstacles. Effort. Success. Multa experiendo fiunt, quae segnibus, ardua videntur. Many obstacles are removed by effort, which to sluggish minds seem unsurmountable." — Ann. XV, 59. Crime. Good Counsel. Delay. Scelera impetu, bona consilia mora valescunt. "Crimes succeed by sudden impulse; good counsels gather strength by delay." Hist. I, 32. Courage. Timidity. Fortune. Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignavos ad desperationem formidine properare. "The brave and energetic can withstand even the resistance of fortune, while the timid and lazy are driven to desperation even by their fears." Hist. II, 46. Supremacy. No Compromise. Imperium cupientibus nihil medium inter summa praecipitia. "In the contest for supremacy, there is no middle course." - Hist II, 74. The Future. Leves homines futuri sunt improvidi. "Light-minded men are thoughtless of the future." Government. Republics. Reipublicae forma laudari facilius quam evenire, et si evenit, haud diuturna esse potest. · A republican form of government is easier to commend than to maintain; and if maintained, it cannot be of long duration.” JUVENAL. BORN 55 A.D.-DIED 135 A.D. DECIMUS JUNIUS JUVENALIS was a Roman satirist of whose personal history but little is known. He is supposed to have lived in easy circumstances, and for a time practiced as an advocate at Rome. He is known to posterity chiefly through his satires, sixteen of which have come down to us under his name. They are written in heroic hexameter, and hold high rank in the field of satirical literature. The satire of Juvenal is distinguished by its indignation, and his bitter attacks upon the corruption of the times constitute perhaps the most pungent literature of the age. He is the last of the great Roman writers, and one of the most distinguished of her national poets. Verdicts. Innocence. Guilt. Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. "The verdict acquits the raven, but condemns the dove." - Satires, II, 63. Spoken of an unjust verdict. Credit. Money. Quantum quisque sua nummorum servat in arca, "Each enjoys credit in proportion to the money which he keeps in his chest."-Satires, III, 143. Venality. Corruption. Omnia Romae cum pretio. "At Rome all things are for sale."-- Satires, III, 183. A most bitter comment on the corruption of the times which Juvenal here describes, in which not even home and country and personal honor were held too sacred to barter in return for gold. Guilt. Happiness. Nemo malus felix. "The guilty knows no happiness." — Satires, IV, 8. Evils of Peace. Luxury. Nunc patimur longae pacis mala. Saevior armis "We are suffering now the evils of long-continued peace. Luxury, more terrible than war, broods over Rome and avenges the conquered world." — Satires, VI, 292. Price of Knowledge. Education. Nosse velint omnes, mercedem solvere nemo. "All wish to know; but few the price will pay." - Satires, VII, 157. Many would like an education who are unwilling to put forth the necessary efforts to obtain it. True Nobility. Virtue. Tota licet veteres exornent undique cerae Atria, nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus. "Though all the heroes of thy line bedeck thy halls, believe me, virtue is the only true nobility."-Satires, VIII, 19. N Poverty. Security. 66 Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator. The penniless traveler sings in the presence of the robber.”. Satires, X, 22. Prayer. Mind and Body. Bravery. Orandum est, ut sit mens sana in corpore sano: "Thy prayer shouldst be for a sound mind in a sound body; ask for a brave spirit, free from the fear of death." — Satires, X, 356. Fortune. - Self-help. Monstro, quod ipse tibi possis dare semita certe Tranquillae per virtutem patet unica vitae. Nullum numen habes, si sit prudentia: nos te, Nos facimus, Fortuna, deam coeloque locamus. "I teach you what you can bestow upon yourself. road to peace of mind leads through a virtuous life. O Fortune, thou wouldst lose thy sacred prestige; we thee as a goddess with thy throne in heaven." Know Thyself. The only certain If we were wise, would not regard Satires, X, 363. E coelo descendit Γνώθι σεαυτὸν, Figendum et memori tractandum pectore. "Know thyself' came down from heaven to be impressed upon thy heart and pondered in thy mind.” — Satires, XI, 28. Non propter vitam faciunt patrimonia quidam, Sed vitio caeci propter patrimonia vivunt. "Some men do not amass fortune for the sake of living, but live for the sake of amassing fortune.”. - Satires, XII, 50 |