Friday, September 03, 2021
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Horace, Epistles 1.7.96-98 (tr. D.R. Shackleton Bailey):
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Let him who has once seen how much superior are the things he let go to the things he pursued return while there is still time and seek again what he left behind. It is best for each of us to measure himself by his own rod and rule.The same (tr. Colin MacLeod):
qui semel aspexit quantum dimissa petitis
praestent, mature redeat repetatque relicta.
metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est.
96 semel recc.: simul cett.; aspexit codd.: agnovit Holder
As soon as you see how much better what you left is
than what you ran after, go straight back where you were.
It is right that every man be his own yard-stick.