BOOK XXVII.

ARGUMENT.

The Fragments of this book are of too diversified a character to

form a correct conclusion with regard to the general subject.

Corpet admits the difficulty, but considers that it contained

a criticism upon the philosophic opinions of the day. Mercer

thinks that the principal portion was occupied by a matrimonial

discussion, in which the lady had decidedly the better of the

argument; who being sprung from a more noble descent, and being

possessed of a more ample fortune, considered that the control

of the household pertained to herself, as a matter of right.

These conjectures, however satisfactory as far as they go,

will not sufficiently account for the greater portion of the

Fragments. Gerlach supposes that the book contained a defense of

the poet's own pursuits and habits of life against the attacks

of calumniators. The book begins, therefore, with a conversation

between the poet and a friend, when the various points at issue

are brought forward and refuted. The chief of these are the

study of poetry; which, as Lucilius maintains, conduces greatly

to the well-being of the state. He then defends his choice of

the particular branch of poetry which he has adopted, and proves

that his satiric view is to be attributed to no arrogance,

self-sufficiency, or malevolence, or envy toward his fellow-men;

that he himself is possessed of a certain evenness of temper,

neither elated by prosperity nor depressed by adversity. The

result of this temperament is an openness of heart, and frankness

of disposition, which leads him to form friendships rapidly,

without that cautious circumspection which commonly attends

men of less equable tone of mind. This peculiar disposition of

mind is also one which, extending to itself no indulgence for

any frailty, is but little inclined to overlook the weaknesses

of others, but impartially corrects the failings of itself and

others: whereas the more common character of mankind is to be

indulgently blind to those faults to which they are themselves

inclined, and severely critical of the imperfections of their

neighbors. While others, again, make it their whole study

hypocritically to conceal their own defects. He concludes with

a sentiment which Horace has borrowed and enlarged upon, that

whereas no perfection can be expected in this life, he is to be

accounted to have arrived most nearly at the wished-for goal, who

is disfigured by the fewest defects; and since all human affairs

are at the best but frail and fleeting, it is a characteristic of

wisdom out of evils to choose the least.

1 Moreover it is inherent in good men, whether they are angry

or kindly disposed, to remain long in the same way of

thinking.[1871]

2 The cook cares not that the tail be very large, provided it be

fat. So friends look to a man's mind; parasites, to his riches.

3 He acts in the same way as those who secretly convey away from

the harbor an article not entered, that they may not have to

pay custom-dues.[1872]

4 Lucilius greets the people in such elaborate verses as he can;

and all this too zealously and assiduously.[1873]

5 ... do you think Lucilius will be content, when I have wearied

myself out, and used all my best endeavors....

6 ... for such a return as this indeed they foreboded, and to

offend in no other thing.

7 ... those, too, who have approached the door they throw out of

the windows on their head--

8 ... that I envy no one, nor often cast a jealous eye on their

luxuries[1874]

9 ... he on the other hand ... all things imperceptibly and

gradually ... out of doors, that he might hurt no one

10 nor, like the Greeks, at whatever question you ask, do we

inquire, where are the Socratic writings?[1875]

11 This is little better than moderate; this, as being as bad as

possible, is less so.

12 Let your order, therefore, now bring forward the crimes he has

committed....

13 ... rather than an indifferent harvest, and a poor vintage

14 ... but if you will watch and carefully observe these for a

little time.

15 ... but whatever may happen, or not, I bear patiently and

courageously.

16 But if you watch the man who rejoices....

17 What dutiful affection? Five mere shadows of men call....[1876]

18 When I beg for peace, when I soothe her, accost her, and call

her "my own!"

19 Yet elsewhere a wart or a scar, a mole or pimples, differ.[1877]

20 ... to which he has once made up his mind, and as he thinks

altogether....

21 ... when my little slaves, come to me ... should not I salute

my mistress--

22 ... they call mad, whom they see called a sap or a woman.[1878]

23 ... nor if I ... usury a little less; and helped a long time.

24 ... now up, now down, like a mountebank's neck.[1879]

25 ... his country's adviser, and hereditary legislator--

26 What they lend one another, is safe without fear of loss

27 ... if face surpass face, and figure figure--

28 let them rather spare him, whom they can, and in whom they

think credit can be placed.[1880]

29 ... since I know that nothing in life is given to man as his

own.

30 We were nimble ... thinking that would be ours forever.[1881]

31 Yet if this has not come back to you, you will lack this

advantage.

32 I fear it can not be; and I differ from Archilochus.[1882]

33 ... than that he should not alone swallow up and squander all.

34

35 ... especially, if, as I hope, you lend me this....[1883]

36 ... first, with what courage he prevented slavery....

37

38 ... but you fear, moreover, lest you should be captivated by

the sight, and her beauty....

39 ... in prosperity to be elated, in adversity to be depressed....

40 ... I will send one to plunder the property; I will look out

for a wretched beggar....

41 ... for even from boyhood ... to extricate myself from love....

42 ... whether you maintain at home twenty or thirty or a hundred

bread-wasters.[1884]

43 I would have you, as is fair, place faith in hymns.[1885]

44 ... bids you God speed, and salutes you most heartily and

warmly.[1886]

FOOTNOTES:

[1871] _Propitius_ is sometimes applied to human beings as well as

to deities. Cf. Ter., Adelph., I., i., 6, "Uxor quæ in animo cogitat

irata, quam illa quæ parentes propitii." Cic., Att., viii., 16, "hunc

propitium sperant, illum iratum putant." The last line is very corrupt.

Gerlach proposes to read "soliditas propositi," which is scarcely

tenable.

[1872] _Inscriptum_, any thing contraband, not entered or marked at the

custom-house, portitorium. Varr., R. R., II., i., 16.

[1873] Gerlach reads _factis_ instead of _fictis_, which Nonius must

have followed. Cf. Hor., i., Sat. x., 58, "Num rerum dura negarit

Versiculos natura magis _factos_ et euntes mollius." Cic., de

Orat., iii., 48, "Oratio polita et facta quodammodo." So in Greek,

κατειργασμένος· πεποιημένος. Longin., viii.

[1874] _Strabo._ Cf. Hor., i., Epist. xiv., 37, "Non istic _obliquo

oculo_ mea commoda quisquam limat." To this Varro opposes "integris

oculis."

[1875] Cf. Hor., A. P., 310, "Rem tibi Socraticæ poterunt ostendere

chartæ."

[1876] _Monogrammi._ Cf. lib. ii., Fr. 17.

[1877] _Papulæ._ Cf. Sen., Vit. Beat., 27, "Papulas observatis alienas,

obsiti plurimis ulceribus." Virg., Georg., iii., 564.

[1878] _Maltha_ is properly a thick unctuous excretion; fossil tar or

petroleum; thence used, like our English "sap," for an effeminate fool:

perhaps from the Greek μαλακός.

[1879] _Cernuus._ Cf. iii., Fr. 20. Properly "one who falls on his

face;" then applied to a mountebank or tumbler, throwing somersaults;

a πεταυριστὴς· κυβιστητήρ. Cf. "jactata petauro corpora," Juv., xiv.,

265, with the note. Lucil., Fr. inc. 40. _Collus_ is the older form of

_collum_.

[1880] Very corrupt: the reading followed is adopted by Dusa and

Gerlach.

[1881] _Pernicis._ Cf. Hor., Epod. ii., 42, "Pernicis uxor Appuli."

[1882] _Excidere_ Nonius explains by _dissentire_.

[1883] Cf. Plaut., Curc., I., i., 47, "Ego cum illâ facere nolo mutuum."

[1884] _Cibicidas_, i. e., "slaves," a humorous word, "consumers of

food."

[1885] Cf. ad xxviii., 44.

[1886] _Sospitat_, a religious phrase, properly "to preserve, protect."

Plaut., Amph., III., viii., 501, Hild., "Dii plus plusque istuc

sospitent." So Ennius, "regnum sospitent superstitentque." _Impertit._

Cf. Cic., Att., ii., 12, "Terentia impertit tibi multam salutem."