Most charming Martialis: <br />These things will give you solace: <br />Wealth that’s unmerited <br />Since it’s inherited; <br />Land yielding fair returns, <br />A fire that always burns; <br />A lack of legal woes <br />Or need for formal clothes; <br />Peace and tranquility, <br />Well-honed nobility; <br />Good health, an earnest way <br />Free of naivete; <br />Good friends with homes to share, <br />A table’s hearty fare; <br />A night’s sobriety <br />Without anxiety, <br />A bed not too austere, <br />Sound sleep to still your fear <br />And self-awareness <br />Free of insecurity. <br />Don’t race to death’s release <br />But face that day with peace. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />(Original Latin) <br /> <br />VITAM quae faciunt beatiorem, <br />Fucundissime Martialis, haec sunt: <br />Res non parta labore sed relicta; <br />Non ingrates ager, focus perennis; <br />Lis numquam, toga rara, mens quieta; <br />Vires ingenuae, salubre corpus; <br />Prudens simplicitas, pares amici, <br />Convictus facilis, sine arte mesa; <br />Nox non ebria sed soluta curis, <br />Non tristis torus et tamen pudicus; <br />Somnus qui faciat breves tenebras: <br />Quod sis esse veils nihilque malis; <br />Summum nee metuas diem nec optes<br /><br />Marcus Valerius Martialis<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/10-47/
