All things in the world are not suited to all men alike, nor is any prize secured by a chariot no better than its rivals.
[Omnia non pariter rerum sunt omnibus apta,
Palma nec ex aequo ducitur ulla iugo.]Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 4, Elegy 9, l. 7ff (4.9.7–9) [tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990)]
(Source)
On finding your lane and excelling in it. Butler notes the second line here is "very obscure," thus the varying translations.
(Source (Latin)). Other translations:All themes are not for all to make their own;
Fame's yoke will fit but one, and one alone.
[tr. Moore (1870), 4.9]All are not fitted equal fates to share:
Alone we win the palm on glory's field.
[tr. Cranstoun (1875), 4.9]Every thing is not equally suited to everybody, nor is fame gained if you are attached to any yoke-fellow.
[tr. Gantillon (1884), 4.9]All things in the world are not found well fitted to all men; neither is renown ever drawn from an even balance.
[tr. Phillimore (1906)]Not everything is fit alike for all.
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]All things are not meet alike for all men; from different heights the palm of fame is won.
[tr. Butler (Loeb) (1912)]All men have different tastes and different talents --
the palm's not given at a stated height.
[tr. Carrier (1963)]All things do not equally suit all men;
From different heights may different palms be won.
[tr. Musker (1972)]Not everything is equally right for everyone
And more than one palm can be won from the same summit.
[tr. Lee (1992)]All things are not equally suited to all: the palm’s not won by dragging at the selfsame yoke.
[tr. Kline (2001)]Not everything is fitted to all strengths, nor can
all yokes apply with equal force.
[tr. Holcombe (2009)]

