§3.4.1O mihi care quidem semper, sed tempore duro §3.4.2cognite, res postquam procubuere meae, §3.4.3usibus edocto si quicquam credis amico, §3.4.4vive tibi et longe nomina magna fuge.
O you who were indeed always dear to me, but in a hard time known, after my fortunes fell, if you believe at all in a friend taught by experience, live for yourself and flee far from great names.
§3.4.5vive tibi, quantumque potes praelustria vita.
live for yourself, and as much as you can, avoid things that are too illustrious.
§3.4.6saevum praelustri fulmen ab arce venit, §3.4.7nam quamquam soli possunt prodesse potentes, §3.4.8non prosint potius, siquis obesse potest.
The savage thunderbolt comes from the highly illustrious citadel, for although only the powerful can be of benefit, let them rather not benefit, if anyone has the power to harm.
The lowered yardarm escapes winter storms, and wide sails have more of fear than small ones.
Do you see how the light cork floats on the top of the wave, while a heavy weight sinks the nets joined with it at the same time.
If I, who now advise you, had myself been advised of these things before, I would perhaps be in the city where I ought to be.
§3.4.15dum tecum vixi, dum me levis aura ferebat, §3.4.16haec mea per placidas cumba cucurrit aquas,
While I lived with you, while a light breeze carried me, this skiff of mine ran through peaceful waters.
§3.4.17qui cadit in plano—vix hoc tamen evenit ipsum— §3.4.18sic cadit, ut tacta surgere possit humo; §3.4.19at miser Elpenor tecto delapsus ab alto §3.4.20occurrit regi debilis umbra suo.
He who falls on level ground—yet this itself scarcely happens— falls in such a way that he can rise after touching the ground; But wretched Elpenor, having fallen from a high roof, met his king as a weak shade.
Why was it that Daedalus fluttered safe wings, while Icarus marks the immense waters with his name?
Surely because the latter flew high, the former lower; for both did not have wings of their own.
Believe me, he who has hidden well has lived well, and everyone ought to remain within his own fortune.
§3.4.27non foret Eumedes orbus, si filius eius §3.4.28stultus Achilleos non adamasset equos; §3.4.29nec natum in flamma vidisset, in arbore natas, §3.4.30cepisset genitor si Phaëthonta Merops.
Eumedes would not be childless, if his son foolishly had not fallen in love with the horses of Achilles; nor would his father Merops have seen his son in flames, his daughters in trees, if he had accepted Phaëthon as his own.
You too, always fear things that are too sublime, and, I pray, reef the sails of your purpose.
For you are worthy to run the course of life with unoffended foot and to enjoy a brighter fate.
You deserve that I should vow these things for you, by your gentle piety and faith that will cling to me for all time.
I saw you lamenting my fate with such a countenance as it is believable was on my own face.
I saw your tears falling upon my face, which, along with your faithful words, I drank at that same time.
Even now you defend with zeal your friend who has been removed, and you lighten ills that can scarcely be lightened by any part.
§3.4.43vive sine invidia, mollesque inglorius annos §3.4.44exige, amicitias et tibi iunge pares, §3.4.45Nasonisque tui, quod adhuc non exulat unum, §3.4.46nomen ama: Scythicus cetera Pontus habet.
Live without envy, and inglorious, spend gentle years, and join to yourself friendships that are equal, and love the name of your Naso, which alone does not yet exile: the name; the Scythian Pontus holds the rest.