The Society for Ancient Languages
Week Three
C. SALLUSTI |
GAIUS SALLUST |
CAPUT II, IV |
CHAPTERS 2, 4 |
| II. Nam uti genus hominum compositum ex corpore et anima est, ita res cunctae studiaque omnia nostra corporis alia, alia animi naturam secuntur. Igitur praeclara facies, magnae divitiae, ad hoc vis corporis et alia omnia huiuscemodi brevi dilabuntur, at ingeni egregia facinora sicuti anima immortalia sunt. | 2. For as the race of men has been put together out of body and soul, so all our acts and studies follow the nature some of the body, others of the mind. Therefore a nice appearance, great riches, moreover the power of the body and all other things of this kind will decay in a short time, but the exceptional deeds of innate talent just like the soul are immortal. |
| IV. Ceterum ex aliis negotiis quae ingenio exercentur, in primis magno usui est memoria rerum gestarum. Cuius de virtute quia multi dixere, praetereundum puto, simul ne per insolentiam quis existumet memet studium meum laudando extollere. Atque ego credo fore qui, quia decrevi procul a re publica aetatem agere, tanto tamque utili labori meo nomen inertiae imponant, certe quibus maxuma industria videtur salutare plebem et conviviis gratiam quaerere. Qui si reputaverint, et quibus ego temporibus magistratus adeptus sim et quales viri idem adsequi nequiverint et postea quae genera hominum in senatum pervenerint, profecto existumabunt me magis merito quam ignavia iudicium animi mei mutavisse maiusque commo- dum ex otio meo quam ex aliorum negotiis rei publicae venturum. | 4. But from among other matters which by means of intellect are exercised, especially to great advantage is the recollection of past accomplishments. Of which I believe in passing by because many men have spoken of its virtue, and also lest anyone should think me through arrogance to extol my endeavor by praising. And I suppose there about to be some, because I have resolved to spend life far away from politics, who would impose the name of laziness to my so great and to such an extent useful labor, certainly for those who to court people and to seek favor by means of dinner parties appears their greatest industry. Who if they will have reconsidered, both during which times I had won the magistrate and what men of honor have been unable to attain the same and thereafter what kinds of men have come up into the senate, surely they will think me to have changed the opinion of my mind more from merit than from idleness and greater profit is going to come to the state out of my inactivity than out of the affairs of others. |
| Nam saepe ego audivi Q. Maxumum, P. Scipionem, praeterea civitatis nostrae praeclaros viros solitos ita dicere, cum maiorum imagines intuerentur, vehentissume sibi animum ad virtutem accendi. Scilicet non ceram illam neque figuram tantam vim in sese habere, sed memoria rerum gestarum eam flammam egregiis viris in pectore crescere neque prius sedari, quam virtus eorum famam atque gloriam adaequaverit. | Now I have often heard Quintus Maximus, Publius Scipio, besides the usual distinguished men of our state to say that, when they were gazing at the masks of their ancestors, their heart to be aroused most ardently toward virtue. Of course by no means did that wax nor the shape have such influence upon themselves, but that flame to swell in their heart by means of the memory of accomplishments by the distinguished men and not to be quenched before their virtue has attained equal fame and glory. |
| At contra quis est omnium his moribus, quin divitiis et sumptibus, non probitate neque industria cum maioribus suis contendat? Etiam homines novi, qui antea per virtutem soliti erant nobilitatem antevenire, furtim et per latrocinia potius quam bonis artibus ad imperia et honores nituntur; proinde quasi praetura et consulatus atque alia omnia huiuscemodi per se ipsa clara et magnifica sint, ac non perinde habeantur ut eorum qui ea sustinent virtus est. Verum ego liberius altiusque processi, dum ne civitatis morum piget taedetque. Nunc ad inceptum redeo. | But on the contrary who is there of all men with these qualities, who does not vie with his ancestors with riches and extravagance, instead of with uprightness and in diligence? Even new men, who before had been accustomed to surpass the nobility through worth, now advance to command positions and offices secretly and through fraud rather than by means of good practices; just as if a praetorship and a consulship and all others of this kind by themselves were themselves honorable and magnificent, and were not especially regarded that the virtue is of the men who uphold them. Truly I have proceeded too freely and too far, while I am annoyed and sick of the morals of the state. Now I return to the subject. |