Best 4 quotes of Marcus Valerius Martialis on MyQuotes

Cras te victurum, cras dicis, Postume, semper. dic mihi, cras istud, Postume, quando venit? quam longe cras istud, ubi est? aut unde petendum? numquid apud Parthos Armeniosque latet? iam cras istud habet Priami vel Nestoris annos. cras istud quanti, dic mihi, possit emi? cras vives? hodie iam vivere, Postume, serum est: ille sapit quisquis, Postume, vixit heri.

Fortune gives too much to many, enough to none. Lat., Fortuna multis dat nimis, satis nulli.]

Here are the essentials of a happy life, my dear friend: money not worked for, but inherited; some land not unproductive; a hearth fire always going; law suits never; the toga rarely worn; a calm mind; a gentleman’s strong and healthy body; circumspect candor, friends who are your equals; relaxed dinner parties, a simple table, nights not drunken, but free from anxieties; a marriage bed not prudish, and yet modest; plenty of sleep to make the dark hours short. Wish to be what you are, and prefer nothing more. Don’t fear your last day, or hope for it either. Translated from original text: Vitam quae faciant beatiorem, Iucundissime Martialis, haec sunt: Res non parta labore, sed relicta; Non ingratus ager, focus perennis; Lis numquam, toga rara, mens quieta; Vires ingenuae, salubre corpus; Prudens simplicitas, pares amici; Convictus facilis, sine arte mensa; Nox non ebria, sed soluta curis; Non tristis torus, et tamen pudicus; Somnus, qui faciat breves tenebras: Quod sis, esse velis nihilque malis; Summum nec metuas diem nec optes.

...to be able to enjoy the life you have spent, is to live it twice.