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Some things are good, some middling, more bad.

Martial

One genius has made many clever artists.
MARTIAL

Artist Genius Oneself
Epigrams need no crier, but are content with their own tongue.
MARTIAL

Content Language Need
You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to dine, Sabellus, not to bathe.
MARTIAL

Excellence Praise Verse Yourself
The swan murmurs sweet strains with a flattering tongue, itself the singer of its own dirge.
MARTIAL

Swan Tongue
If you are poor now, Aemilianus, you will always be poor. Riches are now given to none but the rich.
MARTIAL

Poor Rich Unfair Willing Yourself
You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.
MARTIAL

Admire Death Old Pay Poet Praise Price Thinking Yourself
You crystal break, for fear of breaking it: Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
MARTIAL

Break Care Commitment Crystal Fear Hands Yourself
Be satisfied, and pleased with what thou art, Act cheerfully and well thou allotted part; Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past, And neither fear, nor wish, the approaches of the last.
MARTIAL

Cheer Enjoyment Fear Past Satisfaction Thankful
Wish to be what you are, and wish for no other position.
MARTIAL

Original Position Yourself
Every epigram should resemble a bee; it should have sting, honey, and brevity.
MARTIAL

Honey Similar
No hero to me is the man who, by easy shedding of his blood, purchases fame: my hero is he who, without death, can win praise.
MARTIAL

Blood Death Easy Fame Hero Himself Man Purchase
You give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death. If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for!
MARTIAL

Death Fools Life Promise Yourself
Gifts are like hooks.
MARTIAL

Gift One Liner
Glory comes too late when we are nought but ashes.
MARTIAL

Ash Glory Late
The flaw which is hidden is deemed greater than it is.
MARTIAL

Flaw Greatness Hide
Neither fear your death’s day nor long for it.
MARTIAL

Day Death Fear Yourself

Some things are good, some middling, more bad.

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Some things are good, some middling, more bad.

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