C. Sallustius Crispus, Bellum Catilinae 1.1–3

In the opening of his monograph on the Catilinarian conspiracy, Sallust argues that the mind — not bodily strength or wealth — is the seat of human power, and that we should therefore pursue lasting glory through intellect rather than force.

 

Tier 1

Laborare summa ope (power; resource) decet omnes homines, qui se maior esse ceteris animalibus volunt, ne vitam silentio eant sicut boves, quae natura creavit prona et oboedientia ventri.

Sed omnis nostra vis sita est in animo et corpore: utimur animo magis quam corpore; alterum commune est nobis cum deis, alterum commune est cum bestiis.

Quare rectius mihi videtur petere gloriam mente quam viribus et, quoniam vita qua fruimur est brevis, quam maxime (most especially) efficere longam memoriam nostri.

Written by Robert Amstutz