Disticha Catonis: DISTICHA CATONIS

12. Rumores fuge, ne incipias novus auctor haberi,
Nam nulli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum.

13. Rem tibi promissam certam promittere noli;
Rara fides ideo est, quia multi multa loquuntur.

12. Shun rumours, lest you begin to be held a new author,
for it harms no one to have been silent, it harms to have spoken.

13. Do not promise to yourself that a promised thing is certain;
trust is rare for that reason, because many speak many things.

14. Cum te aliquis laudat, iudex tuus esse memento;
Plus aliis de te, quam tu tibi, credere noli.

14. When someone praises you, remember that you are your own judge;
Do not be willing to believe others more about you than you believe about yourself.

15. Officium alterius multis narrare memento,
Atque aliis cum tu bene feceris ipse, sileto.

15. Remember to recount to many the service of another,
and when you yourself have done good for others, be silent.

16. Multorum cum facta senex et dicta recenses,
Fac tibi succurrant, iuvenis quae feceris ipse.

16. When, old man, you recount the deeds and sayings of many,
see that those things which you yourself did as a youth come to your aid.

17. Ne cures, si quis tacito sermone loquatur;
Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici.

17. Do not worry if anyone speaks with a tacit speech;
he himself, conscious, thinks that all things are said about him.

18. Cum fueris felix, quae sunt adversa, caveto;
Non eodem cursu respondent ultima primis.

18. When you are fortunate, beware of those things which are adverse;
the last things do not correspond to the first by the same course.

19. Cum dubia et fragilis sit nobis vita tributa,
In morte alterius spem tu tibi ponere noli.

19. Since our allotted life is dubious and fragile,
Do not set for yourself hope upon another's death.

20. Exiguum munus cum dat tibi pauper amicus,
Accipito placide, plene laudare memento.

20. When a poor friend gives you a small gift,
Accept it calmly, and remember to praise it fully.

21. Infantem nudum cum te natura crearit,
Paupertatis onus patienter ferre memento.

21. When nature hath created you a naked infant,
Ponder to bear patiently the burden of poverty.

22. Ne timeas illam, quae vitae est ultima finis:
Qui mortem metuit amittit gaudia vitae,

22. Do not fear that which is the ultimate end of life:
He who fears death loses the joys of life,

23. Si tibi pro meritis nemo respondet amicus
Incusare deum noli, sed te ipse coerce.

23. If on account of your merits no friend answers you,
do not accuse God, but restrain yourself.

24. Ne tibi quid desit, quaesitis utere parce,
Utque, quod est, serves, semper tibi deesse putato.

24. Let nothing be lacking to you; use sparingly what you have acquired,
and so, that you may keep what exists, always reckon it to be lacking to you.

25. Quod praestare potes, ne bis promiseris ulli,
Ne sis ventosus, dum vis bonus esse videri.

25. What you can perform, do not promise twice to any one,
Do not be windy, while you wish to be seen as good.

26. Qui simulat verbis nec corde est fidus amicus,
Tu quoque fac simules: sic ars deluditur arte

26. He who feigns with words but is not faithful in heart as a friend,
you too should feign: thus art is deceived by art.

27. Noli homines blando nimium sermone probare;
Fistula dulce canit, volucrem dum decipit auceps.

27. Do not seek to win men over with excessively bland speech,
the pipe sings sweetly while the fowler deceives the bird.

28. Cum tibi sint nati nec opes, tunc artibus illos
Instrue, quo possint inopem defendere vitam.

28. When you have sons but no wealth, then instruct them in the arts
so that they may be able to defend a life in want.

29. Quod vile est, carum, quod carum, vile putato;
Sic tibi nec cupidus nec avarus nosceris ulli.

29. Consider what is vile as dear, and what is dear as vile;
Sic tibi nec cupidus nec avarus nosceris ulli.

30. Quae culpare soles, ea tu ne feceris ipse:,
Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum.

30. Do not yourself do those things which you are wont to blame:
It is disgraceful for a doctor when fault reproves him.

31. Quod iustum est, petito, vel quod videatur honestum
Nam stultum est petere, quod possit iure negari.

31. Seek what is just, or what is seen to be honest,
for it is foolish to ask that which can by right be denied.

32. Ignotum tibi tu noli praeponere notis;
Cognita iudicio constant, incognita casu.

32. Do not set the unknown before the known to you;
Known things stand by judgment, unknown things by chance.

33. Cum dubia incertis versetur vita periclis,
Pro lucro tibi pone diem quicumque laboras.

33. When life is tossed amid uncertain perils,
for profit set aside for yourself the day for whichsoever you labor.

34. Vincere cum possis, interdum cede sodali;
Obsequio quoniam dulces retinentur amici.

34. When you can conquer, sometimes yield to a comrade;
for by deference friends are kept dear.

35. Ne dubites, cum magna petas, impendere parva:
His etenim rebus coniungit gratia caros.

35. Do not doubt, when you seek great things, to expend small things:
for by these things grace joins dear ones.

36. Litem inferre cave, cum quo tibi gratia iuncta est;
Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem.

36. Beware to bring a suit against one with whom grace has been joined to you;
Anger generates hatred, concord nourishes love.

37. Servorum culpis cum te dolor urget in iram,
Ipse tibi moderare, tuis ut parcere possis.

37. When pain urges you into anger at the faults of your servants,
temper yourself, that you may be able to spare your own.

38. Quem superare potes, interdum vince ferendo;
Maxima enim morum semper patientia virtus.

38. Whom you are able to overcome, at times conquer by striking;
for patience is always the greatest virtue of character.

39. Conserva potius, quae sunt iam parta, labore;
Cum labor in damno est, crescit mortalis egestas.

39. Preserve rather, by labor, those things already gained;
when labor is at a loss, mortal need increases.

40. Dapsilis interdum notis et carus amicis,
Cum fueris felix, semper tibi proximus esto.

40. Be generous at times to known and dear friends,
When you have been fortunate, always be nearest to yourself.

Liber II

BOOK 2

II. praef. Telluris si forte velis cognoscere cultus,
Virgilium legito; quod si mage nosse laboras
Herbarum vires, Macer tibi carmina dicit.
Si romana cupis et punica noscere bella,
Lucanum quaeras, qui Martis proelia dixit.
Si quid amare libet, vel discere amare legendo,
Nasonem petito; sin autem cura tibi haec est,
Ut sapiens vivas, audi, quae discere possis,
Per quae semotum vitiis deducitur aevum;
Ergo ades et, quae sit sapientia, disce legendo.

2. praef. If perchance you wish to know the cultivation of the earth,
Read Virgil; but if you labor to know more
the powers of herbs, Macer sings verses for you.
If you desire to know Roman and Punic wars,
seek Lucan, who told the battles of Mars.
If you wish anything of love, or to learn to love by reading,
seek Naso; but if this is your concern,
that you may live wisely, hear what you can learn,
by which life, kept apart from vices, is guided;
Therefore be present and learn, by reading, what wisdom is.

l. Si potes, ignotis etiam prodesse memento;
Utilius regno est meritis adquirere amicos.

If you can, remember also to be of use to strangers;
It is more advantageous for a kingdom to acquire friends by merits.

2. Mitte archana dei caelumque inquirere quid sit;
Cum sis mortalis, quae sunt mortalia cura.

2. Cease seeking the arcana of God and of heaven to learn what it is;
since you are mortal, tend to those things that are mortal.

3. Linque metum leti; nam stultum est tempore in omni,
Dum mortem metuis, amittere gaudia vitae.

3. Leave the fear of death; for it is foolish at any time,
while you fear death, to lose the joys of life.

4. Iratus de re incerta contendere noli;
Impedit ira animum, ne possit cernere verum.

4. Do not, angry, contend about an uncertain matter;
Anger hinders the mind from being able to discern the truth.

5. Fac sumptum propere, cum res desiderat ipsa;
Dandum etenim est aliquid, dum tempus postulat aut res.

5. Make the outlay quickly, when the thing itself requires it;
for something indeed must be given, while time or the thing demands.

6. Quod nimium est, fugito, parvo gaudere memento;
Tuta mage puppis est, modico quae flumine fertur.

6. Avoid what is excessive, remember to take joy in the small;
A ship is safer which is borne on a modest river.

7. Quod pudeat, socios prudens celare memento;
Ne plures culpent id, quod tibi displicet uni.

7. What is shameful, remember, prudently conceal from your socios;
Let not many blame that which displeases to one alone.

8. Nolo putes pravos homines peccata lucrari;
Temporibus peccata latent, sed tempore parent,

8. I do not want you to think that perverse men profit by sins;
For a while sins lie hidden in times, but in time they bring forth,

9. Corporis exigui vires contemnere noli;
Consilo pollet, cui vim natura negavit.

9. Do not scorn the powers of a slight body;
He is strong in counsel to whom nature denied physical force.

l0. Cui scieris non esse parem te, tempore cede;
Victorem a victo superari saepe videmus.

l0. If you know him not to be your equal, yield in time;
We often see the victor overcome by the vanquished.

11. Adversum notum noli contendere verbis;
Lis minimis verbis interdum maxima crescit.

11. Do not contend in words with a known adversary;
a quarrel over the smallest words sometimes grows into the greatest.

12. Quid deus intendat, noli perquirere sorte;
Quid statuat de te, sine te deliberat ille.

12. Do not search by lot what the god intends;
What he determines about you, he deliberates without you.

13. Invidiam nimio cultu vitare memento,
Quae si non laedit, tamen hanc sufferre molestum es1

13. Remember to shun envy by excessive cultus of dress,
which, if it does not wound, yet to suffer it is troublesome1

14. Esto animo forti, cum sis damnatus inique;
Nemo diu gaudet, qui iudice vincit iniquo.

14. Be of a brave spirit when you are unjustly condemned;
No one rejoices long who wins by an unjust judge.

15. Litis praeteritae noli maledicta referre;
Post inimicitias iram meminisse malorum est.

15. Do not recall the maledictions of past litigation;
After enmities, to remember anger is one of evils.

16. Nec te collaudes nec te culpaveris ipse;
Hoc faciunt stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis.

16. Neither praise yourself nor blame yourself;
Fools do this, whom vain glory vexes.

17. Utere quaesitis modice, cum sumptus abundat,
Labitur exiguo, quod partum est tempore longo.

17. Use sparingly the things sought, when expenditure abounds,
what was acquired in a long time slips away by little.

18. Insipiens esto, cum tempus postulat aut res;
Stultitiam simulare loco prudentia summa est.

18. Be foolish, when occasion or circumstance demands;
To feign folly at the proper time and place is the highest prudence.

19. Luxuriam fugito, simul et vitare memento
Crimen avaritiae; nam sunt contraria famae,

19. Shun luxury, and at the same time remember to avoid the crime of avarice;
for they are contrary to reputation,

20. Noli tu quaedam referenti credere semper;
Exigua est tribuenda fides, quia multa loquuntur.

20. Do not always believe certain things reported;
Scant trust is to be allotted, for they speak many things.

21. Quae potu peccas, ignoscere tu tibi noli;
Nam crimen nullum vini est, sed culpa bibentis.

21. Do not yourself pardon those things by which you sin through drink;
For no crime is of wine, but the fault of the drinker.

22. Consilium archanum tacito committe sodali;
Corporis auxilium medico committe fideli.

22. Entrust a secret counsel to a tacit comrade;
Commit the body's aid to a faithful physician.

23. Noli successus indignos ferre moleste;
Indulget fortuna malis, ut laedere possit,

23. Do not resent unworthy successes;
Fortune indulges the wicked, that she may be able to wound,

24. Prospice, qui veniant, hos casus esse ferendos;
Nam levius laedit, quidquid praevidimus ante.

24. Look forward — that the things which will come are to be borne;
for whatever we have foreseen beforehand wounds more lightly.

25. Rebus in adversis animum submittere noli;
Spem retine; spes una hominem nec morte relinquit.

25. In adverse affairs do not abase your spirit;
Hold fast hope; this one hope abandons a man not even in death.

26. Rem, tibi quam noscis aptam, dimittere noli;
Fronte capillata, post haec occasio calva.

26. Do not let go the thing you know to be fit for you;
With a hair-clad brow, afterward the occasion is bald.

27. Quod sequitur specta, quodque imminet ante videto;
Illum imitare deum, partem qui spectat utramque.

27. Behold what follows, and foresee what threatens;
Imitate that god who watches both parts alike.

28. Fortius ut valeas, interdum parcior esto;
Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti.

28. So that you may be stronger, at times be more sparing;
Few things are owed to pleasure, more to health.

29. Iudicium populi numquam contempseris unus,
Ne nulli placeas, dum vis contemnere multos.

29. Never despise the judgment of the people alone,
Do not strive to please no one, while you wish to scorn many.

30. Sit tibi praecipue, quod primum est, cura salutis;
Tempora nec culpes, cum sis tibi causa doloris.

30. Let foremost be your care, that which is first, your safety;
blame not the times, when you are yourself the cause of your pain.

31. Somnia ne cures; nam mens humana, quod optat,
Dum vigilat, sperat; per somnum cernit id ipsum.

31. Do not trouble yourself about dreams; for the human mind, what it desires,
while it is awake it hopes; through sleep it perceives that very thing.

Liber III

BOOK 3

IlI.praef. a Hoc quicumque velis carmen cognoscere lector,
Cum praecepta ferat, quae sunt gratissima vitae:

IlI.praef. a From this, whatever poem you would wish to learn, reader,
when it bears precepts which are most pleasing to life:

l. Instrue praeceptis animum, nec discere cesses;
Nam sine doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago.

1. Instruct the mind with precepts, and do not cease to learn;
For without doctrine life is, as it were, the image of death.

praef. b Commoda multa feres, sin autem spreveris illud,
Non me doctorem sed te neglexeris ipse

praef. b You will enjoy many advantages, but if you scorn that,
you will have neglected not me the teacher but yourself.

2. Cum recte vivas, ne cures verba malorum;
Arbitrii non est nostri, quid quisque loquatur.

2. If you live rightly, do not heed the words of the wicked;
It is not for our arbitrium (our judgment) to decide what each one may say.

3. Productus testis, salvo tamen ante pudore,
Quantumcumque potes, celato crimen amici.

3. A witness called forth, yet with your own modesty preserved,
As far as you can, conceal the crime of a friend.

4. Sermones blandos blaesosque cavere memento;
Simplicitas veri fama est, fraus ficta loquendi.

4. Beware of bland and lisping speeches, remember;
Simplicity is the fame of truth, fraud the fabricated art of speaking.

5. Segnitiem fugito, quae vitae ignavia fertur;
Nam cum animus languet, consumit inertia corpuC.

5. Shun sloth, which is called life’s laziness;
For when the spirit languishes, inertia consumes the body.

6. Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis,
Ut possis animo quemvis sufferre laborem.

6. Interpose at times joys amid your cares,
So that in spirit you may be able to suffer any labor.

7. Alterius dictum aut factum Me carpseris unquam,
Exemplo simili ne te derideat alter.

7. Have you ever censured another’s word or deed of mine,
so that another may not deride you with a similar example.

8. Quod tibi sors dederit tabulis suprema notato;
Augendo serva, ne sis, quem fama loquatur.

8. Note upon tablets the last things that Fate has given you;
Preserve them by increasing, lest you be one whom Fame speaks of.

9. Cum tibi divitiae superant in fine senectae
Munificus facito vivas, non parcus amicis.

9. When riches surpass you at the close of old age
Be munificent; live not sparing toward friends.

10. Utile consilium dominus ne despice servi;
Nullius sensum, si prodest, tempseris unquam.

10. O master, do not despise the useful counsel of a slave;
Never scorn anyone’s understanding, if it is of profit.

11. Rebus et in censu si non est, quod fuit ante,
Fac vivas contentus eo, quod tempora praebent.,

11. If in your possessions and in your census there is not what was before,
Live content with that which the times afford.,

12. Uxorem fuge ne ducas sub nomine dotis,
Nec retinere velis, si coeperit esse molesta.

12. Shun taking a wife under the name of a dowry,
Nor wish to retain her if she begins to be troublesome.

13. Multorum disce exemplis, quae facta sequaris,
Quae fugias; vita est nobis aliena magistra.

13. Learn from the examples of many which deeds you should follow,
and which you should flee; life is to us a foreign teacher.

14. Quod potes, id tempta, operis ne pondere pressu
Succumbat labor et frustra temptata relinquas.

14. Attempt what you can; let not labour succumb under the weight and pressure of the work,
nor leave undertakings attempted in vain.

15. Quod nosti haud recte factum, nolito tacere,
Ne videare malos imitari velle tacendo.

15. What you know to have been done unjustly, do not be silent,
Lest by your silence you seem to wish to imitate the wicked.

16. ludicis auxilium sub iniqua lege rogato;
Ipsae etiam leges cupiunt, ut iure rogentur.

16. Seek the judge’s aid when oppressed by an unjust law;
even the laws themselves desire that they be appealed to in right.

17. Quod merito pateris, patienter ferre memento,
Cumque reus tibi sis, ipsum te iudice damna.

17. Remember to bear patiently what you suffer deservedly,
and whenever you are a defendant to yourself, condemn yourself with yourself as judge.

18. Multa legas facito, perlectis neglege multa;
Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda poetae.

18. Make it your practice to read many things, and, once read through, neglect much;
for poets sing marvels, but poets are not to be believed.

19. Inter convivas fac sis sermone modestus,
Ne dicare loquax, cum vis urbanus haberi.

19. Among convives be modest in speech,
Do not be called talkative when you wish to be regarded as urbane.

20. Coniugis iratae noli tu verba timere;
Nam lacrimis struit insidias, cum femina plorat.

20. Do not fear the words of an angry wife;
For she constructs snares with tears, when a woman weeps.

21. Utere quaesitis, sed ne videaris abuti;
Qui sua consumunt, cum deest, aliena sequuntur.

21. Use what you have acquired, but do not seem to be abused;
Those who spend their own, when it is lacking, pursue another’s.

22. Fac tibi proponas mortem non esse timendam,
Quae bona si non est, finis tam!n illa malorum est.

22. Make it your practice to set before you that death is not to be feared,
which, if it be not good, is nevertheless the end of evils.

23. Uxoris linguam, si frugi est, ferre memento,
Namque malum est, non velle pati nec posse tacere.

23. Bear in mind to endure your wife's tongue, if she is frugal (i.e., virtuous),
for it is an evil to neither will to suffer nor to be able to hold silence.

24. Dilige non aegra caros pietate parentes.
Nec matrem offendas, dum vis bonus esse parenti.

24. Love your dear parents not weakly but with filial piety.
Do not offend your mother, while you wish to be good to your parent.

Liber IV

BOOK FOUR

IV. praef.
Securam quicumque cupis perducere vitam,
Nec vitiis haerere animos, quae moribus obsint.
Haec praecepta tibi semper relegenda memento;
Invenies, quo te possis mutare, magistrum.

4. praef.
Whoever desires to conduct a secure life,
let not his mind cling to vices that offend morals.
Remember that these precepts must always be re‑read by you;
you will find a master by which you can change yourself.

1. Despice divitias, si vis animo esse beatus,
Quas qui suscipiunt, mendicant semper avari.

1. Despise riches, if you wish to be blessed in spirit,
Those who accept them, the avaricious, are always beggars.

2. Commoda naturae nullo tibi tempore deerunt,
Si contentus eo fueris. quod postulat usus.

2. The comforts of nature will at no time be lacking to you,
if you are content with that which use demands.

3. Cum sis incautus nec rem ratione gubernes,
Noli fortunam, quae non est, dicere caecam.

3. When you are incautious and do not govern a matter by reason,
do not call Fortune, which she is not, blind.

4. Dilige denarium, sed parce dilige formam,
Quam nemo sanctus nec honestus captat habere.

4. Love the denarius, but love the outward form sparingly,
which no saint nor honest man seeks to possess.

5. Cum fueris locuples, corpus curare memento;
Aeger dives habet nummos, se non habet ipsum.

5. When you are wealthy, remember to care for the body;
A sick rich man has money, he does not have himself.

6. Verbera cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri,
Fer patris imperium, cum verbis exit in iram.

6. When you have borne the blows, learning at times from the master,
Endure a father's command when he vents his anger in words.

7. Res age, quae prosunt, rursus vitare memento
In quibus error inest, nec spes est certa laboris.

7. Do what profits, and again remember to avoid those things in which error is present,
nor is there a certain hope in toil.

8. Quod donare potes, gratis concede roganti;
Nam recte fecisse bonis in parte lucrosum est.

8. Grant gratis to the petitioner what you can give;
For to have done rightly is, for the good, partly lucre.

9. Quod tibi suspectum est, confestim discute, quid sit;
Namque solent, primo quae sunt neglecta, nocere.

9. Whatever is suspect to you, at once examine what it is;
for things that are neglected at first are wont to harm.

10. Cum te detineat Veneris damnosa voluptas,
Indulgere gulae noli, quae ventris amica est.

10. When the ruinous pleasure of Venus detains you,
do not indulge in gluttony, which is a friend to the belly.

11. Cum tibi proponas animalia cuncta timere,
Unum praecipue tibi plus hominem esse timendum.

11. When you set before yourself that all animals are to be feared,
above all one in particular—man—is more to be feared.

12. Cum tibi praevalidae fuerint in corpore vires,
Fac sapias; sic tu poteris vir fortis haberi.

12. When prevailing strengths are in your body,
Be wise; thus you will be able to be held a brave man.

13. Auxilium a notis petito, si forte labores;
Nec quisquam melior medicus quam fidus amicus.

13. Seek aid from those known, if perchance you suffer labors;
Nor is any physician better than a faithful friend.

14. Cum sis ipse nocens, moritur cur victima pro te?
Stultitia est morte alterius sperare salutem.

14. When you yourself are guilty, why does a victim die for you?
It is folly to hope for salvation by another’s death.

15. Cum tibi vel socium vel fidum quaeris amicum,
Non tibi fortuna est hominis sed vita petenda.

15. When you seek for yourself either a companion or a faithful friend,
seek not a man's fortune but his life.

16. Utere quaesitis opibus, fuge nomen avari;
Quid tibi divitiae prosint, si pauper abundes?

16. Use the riches you have acquired; shun the name of the avaricious;
what profit are riches to you if you abound in poverty?

17. Si famam servare cupis, dum vivis, honestam
Fac fugias animo, quae sunt mala gaudia vitae.

17. If you desire to keep your fame honest while you live,
see that you banish from your mind those evil delights of life.

18. Cum sapias animo, noli ridere senectam;
Nam quicumque senet, sensus puerilis in illo est.

18. When you are wise in mind, do not laugh at old age;
For whoever grows old, a childlike sense is in him.

19. Disce aliquid; nam cum subito fortuna recessit
Ars remanet vitamque hominis non deserit unquam.

19. Learn something; for when fortune suddenly has withdrawn
art remains, and never does it abandon the life of a man.

20. Prospicito cuncta tacitus, quid quisque loquatur;
Sermo hominum mores celat et indicat idem.

20. Watch all things silently, foreseeing what each man will say;
men’s speech both conceals and at the same time betrays their manners.

21. Exerce studium, quamvis perceperis artem,
Ut cura ingenium, sic et manus adiuvat usum.

21. Exercise your study, even if you have learned the art,
as care aids talent, so the hand assists practice.

22. Multum venturi ne cures tempora fati;
Non metuit mortem, qui scit contemnere vitam,

22. Do not be overly anxious about the times of the coming fate;
He fears not death who knows how to contemn life,

23. Disce, sed a doctis; indoctos ipse doceto;
Propaganda etenim est rerum doctrina bonarum.

23. Learn, but from the learned; teach the unlearned yourself;
For the doctrine of good things must be propagated.

24. Hoc bibe quod possis, si tu vis vivere sanus;
Morbi causa mali nimia est quaecumque voluptas.

24. Drink what you can, if you wish to live healthy;
Whatever pleasure that is excessive is the cause of disease and of evil.

25. Laudaris quodcumque palam, quodcumque probaris,
Hoc vive, ne rursus levitatis crimine damnes.

25. You are praised for whatever is public, whatever is approved,
Live by this, lest again you be condemned by the charge of levity.

26. Tranquillis rebus semper adversa timeto,
Rursus in adversis melius sperare memento.

26. In tranquil affairs always fear adversities,
Again in adversities remember to hope for better.

27. Discere ne cesses; cura sapientia crescit;
Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu.

27. Cease not to learn; take care, wisdom grows;
Prudence is rarely granted except by long use of time.

28. Parce laudato; nam quem tu saepe probaris,
Una dies qualis fuerit ostendet amicus.

28. Spare your praise; for him whom you often approve,
one single day will show what sort of friend he is.

29. Non pudeat quae nescieris te velle doceri;
Scire aliquid laus est, culpa est nihil discere velle.

29. Be not ashamed to desire to be taught what you do not know;
To know anything is praise, it is blame to wish to learn nothing.

30. Cum Venere et Baccho lis est et iuncta voluptas;
Quod lautum est animo complectere, sed fuge lites.

30. With Venus and Bacchus there is strife, and pleasure is joined;
Embrace what is sumptuous for the soul, but shun quarrels.

31. Demissos animo et tacitos vitare memento;
Quod flumen placidum est, forsan latet altius unda.

31. Remember to avoid the downcast in spirit and the taciturn;
what river is placid, perhaps a wave lies hidden deeper.

32. Cum tibi displiceat rerum fortuna tuarum
Alterius specta, quo sis discrimine peior.

32. When the fortune of your affairs displeases you,
look at another’s, to see in what crisis you are the worse off.

33. Quod potes id tempta; nam litus carpere remis
Tutius est multo quam velum tendere in altum.

33. Attempt what you can; for it is much safer to hug the shore with oars
than to stretch a sail out into the deep.

34. Contra hominem iustum prave contendere noli;
Semper enim deus iniustas ulciscitur iras.

34. Against a just man do not contend wrongly;
for God always avenges unjust angers.

35. Ereptis opibus noli maerere dolendo,
Sed potius gaude, si te contingat habere.

35. With riches having been snatched away do not grieve by lamenting,
but rather rejoice, if it should befall you to possess yourself.

36. Est iactura gravis quae sunt amittere damnis;
Sunt quaedam, quae ferre decet patienter amicum.

36. A loss is grave when things are lost through misfortunes;
Said otherwise, there are certain things which it becomes a friend to bear patiently.

37. Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vitae;
Quocumque ingrederis sequitur mors corporis umbra.

37. Do not promise yourself long times of life;
Wherever you go, the shadow of the body's death follows.

38. Thure deum placa, vitulum sine crescat aratro;
Ne credas placare deum, cum caede litatur.

38. Placate the god with incense, let the calf grow without the plough;
Do not believe that one placates the god when he is propitiated by slaughter.

39. Cede locum laesus fortunae, cede potenti;
Laedere qui potuit, prodesse aliquando valebit.

39. Yield place, hurt by Fortune, yield to the potent;
He who could injure will sometimes be able to profit (to do good).

40. Cum quid peccaris, castiga te ipse subinde;
Vulnera dum sanas, dolor est medicina doloris.

40. When in any way you sin, chastise yourself repeatedly;
While you heal wounds, pain is the medicine of pain.

41. Damnaris nunquam post longum tempus amicum,
Mutavit mores, sed pignora prima memento.

41. Do not condemn a friend after a long time,
He has changed his mores, but remember his first pledges.

42. Gratior officiis, quo sis mage carior, esto,
Ne nomen subeas quod dicitur officiperdi.

42. Be more pleasing in your offices, the dearer you are;
Lest you assume the name men call “one ruined by office.”

43. Suspectus caveas ne sis miser omnibus horis,
Nam timidis et suspectis aptissima mors est.

43. Beware that you do not become suspicious and miserable at all hours,
for to the timid and the suspicious death is most fitting.

44. Cum fueris proprios servos mercatus in usus,
Et famulos dicas, homines tamen esse memento.

44. When you have bought your own slaves for service,
and call them famuli, remember nevertheless that they are men.

45. Quam primum rapienda tibi est occasio prima,
Ne rursus quaeras quae iam neglexeris ante.

45. As soon as possible the first occasion must be seized by you,
Lest you again seek what you have already before neglected.

46. Morte repentina noli gaudere malorum:
Felices obeunt quorum sine crimine vita est.

46. Rejoice not at the sudden death of evils:
Happy are those who pass away whose life is without crime.

47. Cum tibi sit coniux, ne res et fama laboret,
Vitandum ducas inimicum nomen amici.

47. If you have a spouse, so that both affairs and fame do not labor,
You should regard the inimical name of a friend as to be avoided.

48. Cum tibi contigerit studio cognoscere multa,
Fac discas multa, vita nil discere velle.

48. When it should happen to you to have a zeal to know many things,
see that you learn much; do not let life be willing to learn nothing.

49. Miraris verbis nudis me scribere versus?
Hoc brevitas fecit, sensus coniungere binos.

49. Do you marvel that I write verses with naked words?
This brevity has done this, to join together two senses.