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I believe that man to be wretched whom none can please.

Martial

He who writes distichs, wishes, I suppose, to please by brevity. But, tell me, of what avail is their brevity, when there is a whose book full of them?
MARTIAL

Book Himself Writing
You puff the poets of other days, The living you deplore. Spare me the accolade: your praise Is not worth dying for.
MARTIAL

Death Live Poet Praise Worth
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
Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are bald. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are carrotty. Why do I not kiss you, Philaenis? you are one-eyed. He who kisses you, Philaenis, sins against nature.
MARTIAL

Bald Kiss Myself Nature Sin Yourself
Live thy life as it were spoil and pluck the joys that fly.
MARTIAL

Fly Joy Life Live
It is not he who forms idols in gold or marble that makes them gods, but he who kneels before them.
MARTIAL

Form God Gold Himself
My poems are naughty, but my life is pure.
MARTIAL

Life Naughty Poem Purity
Work divided is in that manner shortened.
MARTIAL

Division Short Work
One genius has made many clever artists.
MARTIAL

Artist Genius Oneself
Fortune gives too much to many, enough to none.
MARTIAL

Enough Fortune Unfair
Too late is tomorrow’s life; live for today.
MARTIAL

Day Life Present
Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.
MARTIAL

Charm Prize Rare Suit
It is not, believe me, the act of a wise man to say, “I will live.” To-morrow’s life is too late; live to-day.
MARTIAL

Believe Day Man Myself Wisdom
If fame is to come only after death, I am in no hurry for it.
MARTIAL

Death Fame Hurry Myself
If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.
MARTIAL

Greatness Myself Opinion Worth
She grieves sincerely who grieves unseen.
MARTIAL

Grief Herself Sincere Unknown

I believe that man to be wretched whom none can please.

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I believe that man to be wretched whom none can please.

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