Marcus Valerius Martial ( 10 of 68 )
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.
However great the dish that holds the turbot, the turbot is still
greater than the dish.
However great the dish that holds the turbot, the turbot is still
greater than the dish.
Such are thou and I: but what I am thou canst not be; what thou
art any one of read more
Such are thou and I: but what I am thou canst not be; what thou
art any one of the multitude may be.
[Lat., Hoc ego, tuque sumus: set quod sum, non potes esse:
Tu quod es, e populo quilibet esse potest.]
He who prefers to give Linus the half of what he wishes to
borrow, rather than to lend him read more
He who prefers to give Linus the half of what he wishes to
borrow, rather than to lend him the whole, prefers to lose only
the half.
Philo swears that he has never dined at home, and it is so; he
does not dine at all, read more
Philo swears that he has never dined at home, and it is so; he
does not dine at all, except when invited out.
You put fine dishes on your table, Olus, but you always put them
on covered. This is ridiculous; in read more
You put fine dishes on your table, Olus, but you always put them
on covered. This is ridiculous; in the same way I could put fine
dished on my table.
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that read more
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that convict you of theft? Why
do you attempt to associate foxes with lions, and make owls pass
for eagles? Though you had one of Ladas's legs, you would not be
able, blockhead, to run with the other leg of wood.
Every bird that upwards swings
Bears the Cross upon its wings.
Every bird that upwards swings
Bears the Cross upon its wings.
In whatever place you meet me, Postumus, you cry out immediately,
and your very first words are, "How do read more
In whatever place you meet me, Postumus, you cry out immediately,
and your very first words are, "How do you do?" You say this,
even if you meet me ten times in one single hour: you, Postumus,
have nothing, I suppose, to do.
You were constantly, Matho, a guest at my villa at Tivoli. Now
you buy it--I have deceived you; I read more
You were constantly, Matho, a guest at my villa at Tivoli. Now
you buy it--I have deceived you; I have merely sold you what was
already your own.
