Thursday, October 19, 2023
Consolations of Literature
Callimachus, Aetia, fragment 1, lines 37-38 (tr. Annette Harder):
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For whomsoever the Muses did not look at askance as a childCicero, In Defense of Archias 7.16 (on the study of literature; tr. A.H. Allcroft and F.G. Plaistowe):
they will not reject as a friend when he is old.
Μοῦσαι γὰρ ὅσους ἴδον ὄθματι παῖδας
μὴ λοξῷ, πολιοὺς οὐκ ἀπέθεντο φίλους.
The other classes of enjoyment are not for every time or every age or every situation, but these pursuits are the food of youth and the charm of age; they are the ornament of prosperity, and lend a refuge and comfort to misfortune; at home they are a pleasure, abroad they are no hindrance; they are with us by night, upon our journeys, at our country seats.
nam ceterae neque temporum sunt neque aetatum omnium neque locorum: haec studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium ac solacium praebent, delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur.
