Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

PUBLILIUS SYRUSWhat is snatched from the bad is a gift to the o;ood.He who does not live a busy Hfe of his own is asgood as dead for others.*^A deed of valour isa deed of fame.He who waits to be asked lessens his service.He who fears a friend doesn't know the meaning ofthe word.He who cannot conceal a vicious act does not commitItHe who fears everv ambush falls into none.What a rascal he isanotherwho throws his own guilt uponThe skilled servant holds part of his master's power.The self-praiser soon finds a mocker." The man who cannot attend to his own afifairs withcompetence is no good to others. Sihi vivere is not here " tolive only for oneself" : it does not, as OreUi takes it, implya miser who spends neither on himself nor on others.Friedrich aptly ilhistrates the sense from Sen. Ep. Iv. 4—5,where the phrase is used of one who rises above slothfulretirement or an animal-like existence of self-indulgence to astrenuous and full life in which through serving others hewill serve his highest self (cf. ibid, non continuo sibi vivit, quinemini).* *A criminal is usually inspired with the hope of eludingdetection : so a character in a mime might be imaginedto say, " He who can't get away with it, doesn't do it." Thetext is, however, uncertain (see appar. crit.).^ Cf. sentiment in 400.93