‘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 (11.5) [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)]