Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Satirae 1.6.26-37

Horace observes that ambition invites envy and scrutiny, comparing the man who seeks public office to a vain figure like Barrus who craves admiration, noting that anyone who promises to care for the citizens, the city, and the temples of the gods forces everyone to examine his parentage and the status of his birth.

 

Tier 1

Invidia crevit, invidia quae minor esset viro privato. Nam simul quisque insanus ligat pelles nigras (black thongs) medium crus, et demisit latum clavom (stripe) pectore, statim audit 'quis homo hic est? quis est pater huius viri?'

Est sicut si qui (aliquis) aegrotet morbo quo Barrus aegrotat, is cupiat esse formosus, is eat quacumque (wherever), iniciat puellis quaerendi, quali facie sit, quali sura sit, quali pede sit, quali dente sit, quali capillo sit:

Sic is qui promittit curare cives, urbem, imperium, Italiam, templa deorum, is cogit omnes immortales curare et quaerere 'quis est pater eius? Num humilis vir est filius ignotae matris?

Written by Robert Amstutz