WIST

‘Tis a hard task not to surrender morality for riches.

[Ardua res haec est opibus non tradere mores.]

Martial (AD c.39-c.103) Spanish Roman poet, satirist, epigrammatist [Marcus Valerius Martialis]
Epigrams [Epigrammata], Book 11, epigram 5 [tr. in Harbottle (1897)]
    (Source)

Alt. trans.:

• It is an arduous task to preserve morality from the corruption of riches. [tr. Bohn (1871)]
• 'Tis rare, when riches cannot taint the mind. [tr. Anon. (1695)]
• 'Tis a hard task this, not to sacrifice manners to wealth. [tr. Ker (1919)]
• It is a hard business, not to compromise morals for riches. [tr. Nisbet (2015)]