WIST Quotations

Propertius -- Elegies, Book 4, Elegy 10, l. 3ff (4.10.3–4) [tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990)]

Dave — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:05:30 +0000

I am scaling a great height, but hope of glory gives me strength: a crown plucked from an easy summit brings no pleasure.

[Magnum iter ascendo; sed dat mihi gloria vires;
non iuvat e facili lecta corona iugo.]

Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 4, Elegy 10, l. 3ff (4.10.3–4) [tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990)]

Noting the effort going toward writing this particular elegy, "the origin of the name of Jupiter Feretrius and the taking of the three suits of armor from the three chieftains." See also 2.10.

In some early translations, this is numbered as 5.10.

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

A toilsome theme, but glory nerves the will
To pluck my laurels from no easy hill.
[tr. Moore (1870), 5.10]

Hard is the hill, but glory nerves my soul:
I'd cull my chaplet from no easy knoll.
[tr. Cranstoun (1875), 5.10]

I am climbing a difficult road; but the glory gives me strength. [...]
[E.g. (1882)]

I am beginning a steep ascent, but glory gives me strength; a crown gathered from an easy ascent pleases me not.
[tr. Gantillon (1884), 5.10]

This is no light stage which I must surmount, but honour gives me strength. I care not for a garland gathered from an easy hill.
[tr. Phillimore (1906)]

Great are the heights I must scale, but glory lends me strength; crowns plucked from easy summits please me not.
[tr. Butler (Loeb) (1912)]

A difficult theme: grant me power to try it.
[tr. Carrier (1963)]

An arduous climb but its glory gives me strength;
There can be no pleasure in garlands plucked
From easy summits.
[tr. Musker (1972)]

Great is the road I climb but glory gives me strength,
Disdaining garlands plucked from easy summits.
[tr. Lee (1992)]

Great is the height that I must scale, but the prospect of glory gives me strength. [...]
[E.g. (1997)]

I climb a steep path, but the glory of it gives me strength: I never delight in wreathes plucked on easy slopes.
[tr. Kline (2001)]

Great height I scale, but glory gives me strength: a crown
from easy slopes brings no renown.
[tr. Holcombe (2009)]

Billings, Josh -- Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1877-10 (1877 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:13:52 +0000

I never knu a man to brag ov hiz munny, or hiz pedigree, who had enny thing else worth bragging about.

[I never knew a man to brag of his money, or his pedigree, who had anything else worth bragging about.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1877-10 (1877 ed.)

Bible, Vol. 1. Old Testament -- Book 22b. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 27: 4ff (Sir 27:4–7) [tr. NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Dave — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:57:30 +0000

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so does a person’s waste when he speaks.
The kiln tests the potter’s vessels,
and the test of a person is in his conversation.
Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so does speech the thoughts of the human mind.
Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.

[Ἐν σείσματι κοσκίνου διαμένει κοπρία,
οὕτως σκύβαλα ἀνθρώπου ἐν λογισμῷ αὐτοῦ.
σκεύη κεραμέως δοκιμάζει κάμινος,
καὶ πειρασμὸς ἀνθρώπου ἐν διαλογισμῷ αὐτοῦ.
γεώργιον ξύλου ἐκφαίνει ὁ καρπὸς αὐτοῦ,
οὕτως λόγος ἐνθυμήματος καρδίας ἀνθρώπου.
πρὸ λογισμοῦ μὴ ἐπαινέσῃς ἄνδρα·
οὗτος γὰρ πειρασμὸς ἀνθρώπων]

The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)
Book 22b. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 27: 4ff (Sir 27:4–7) [tr. NRSV (2021 ed.)]

More on the history and acceptance of this Apocryphal book here and here.

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.
The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.
[tr. KJV (1611)]

As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain:
so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.
The furnace trieth the potter's vessels,
and the trial of affliction just men.
Be the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof,
so a word out of the thought of the heart of man.
Praise not a man before he speaketh,
for this is the trial of men.
[tr. DRA (1899), 27:5–8]

In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind,
so too the defects of a man appear in his talk.
The kiln tests the work of the potter,
the test of a man is in his conversation.
The orchard where the tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit,
similarly a man's words betray what he feels.
Do not praise a man before he has spoken,
since this is the test of men.
[tr. JB (1966)]

In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind,
so too the defects of a person appear in speech.
The kiln tests the work of the potter,
the test of a person is in conversation.
The orchard where the tree grows is judged by its fruit,
similarly words betray what a person feels.
Do not praise anyone who has not yet spoken,
since this is where people are tested.
[tr. NJB (1985)]

Your talk shows your faults; it is like a sieve that separates out the rubbish. The way you think shows your character just as surely as a kiln shows any flaws in the pottery being fired. You can tell how well a tree has been cared for by the fruit it bears, and you can tell a person's feelings by the way he expresses himself. Never praise anyone before you hear him talk; that is the real test.
[tr. GNT (1992 ed.)]

When a sieve is shaken,
rubbish remains behind;
so in the process of reasoning,
a person’s flaws appear.
A kiln tests a potter’s jars,
and decision making tests a person.
A tree’s fruit reveals
how well it has been cultivated.
In the same way, reasoning makes plain
a person’s thoughts.
Don’t praise people
until after they present an argument,
for this is how people are tested.
[tr. CEB (2011)]

Steele, Richard -- Essay (1713-04-08), The Guardian, No. 24

Dave — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:22:29 +0000

Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1713-04-08), The Guardian, No. 24

Propertius -- Elegies, Book 2, Elegy 10, l. 5ff (2.10.5-6) [tr. Holcombe (2009)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

And should I fail, my courage brings its commendation:
greatness aimed at is enough.

[Quod si deficiant vires, audacia certe
Laus erit: in magnis et voluisse sat est.]

Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 2, Elegy 10, l. 5ff (2.10.5-6) [tr. Holcombe (2009)]

Talking specifically about writing epics about mighty themes and accomplishments.

Because of the corruption of manuscripts of Propertius and speculating from internal references, some 19th Century scholars (e.g., Lachmann) argued for a different division of the elegies into books, thus the translations here wich instead label this as Book 3, Elegy 1.

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

And if my powers of song should fail -- to dare were surely fame:
Enough that I have had the will; no higher praise I claim.
[tr. Cranstoun (1875), 3.1]

Courage in weighty works must power supply,
And praise be mine that I've the will to try.
[tr. Moore (1870), 3.1]

But if my powers fail me, at all events my courage will be meritorious: in great attempts even to have had the will is enough.
[tr. Gantillon (1884), 3.1]

And if my strength fail, at least my boldness will be a title of honour; in great enterprises, the very "I would" is enough.
[tr. Phillimore (1906)]

But should strength fail me, yet my daring shall win me fame: in mighty enterprises enough even to have willed success.
[tr. Butler (Loeb) (1912)]

If I have not the faculty, "The bare attempt would be praiseworthy."
"In things of similar magnitude
the mere will to act is sufficient."
[tr. Pound (1919), 5.1]

What though I fail? That I have dared aspire
should be enough. I shall have tried. What more?
[tr. Carrier (1963)]

But if my strength should fail, why then my temerity
Is sure of praise, for in matters of moment
The intention suffices.
[tr. Musker (1972)]

And should strength fail me, my daring at least will win me praise: in mighty projects even to have wished is enough.
[tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990)]

If strength be lacking, surely ambition will be praised;
The intention in great matters is enough.
[tr. Lee (1992)]

But if I lack the power, then surely my courage will be praised: it’s enough simply to have willed great things.
[tr. Kline (2001)]

What though strength fails? Boldness is certain to win praise. In mighty enterprises, it is enough to have had the determination.
[Bartlett]