SIXTEENTH MORSEL
There is nothing loathsome , in learning from others , with elders and with peers , we shared experiences , treasures of our youth , amusing in retrospect .
It is the matter?s worth the source dictates not choice progress comes not from disdain to live we nourish the form to advance we emulate the source dictates not choice It is the matter?s worth
If they should enrich us , ennoble the manner , magnify happiness , increase our contentment , in learning from others , there is nothing loathsome .
SEVENTEENTH MORSEL
For common good and for own glory a seat in the senate For common cause and own aspirations a seat in the senate For power over destinies for by themselves they'll drown a seat in the senate For a hand in fate and privilege to avert a few unpleasantries a seat in the senate For the pristine tunic and the challenge to keep it unsoiled a seat in the senate For rhetoric comes with quandaries of office a seat in the senate The toga is equal in prestige with the weight of armour a seat in the senate
EIGHTEENTH MORSEL
Arena gladiators with their lives amuse us liberty bought with blood the last one is set free.
Slaves of silver mines they crawl in tunnels dark they live with the terror of cave-ins and landslides .
Privilege of victory marked by thriving slavery of people subjugated.
The nameless galley slaves unpaid naval oarsmen chained to oars in battle live or drown with the ship.
Slaves who serve the household by bonded servitude are bound to their masters for their food and lodging.
Our state's territory with empire's history adorned with places conquered.
NINETEENTH MORSEL
PORTION I
callow upstarts those who dare advise hindrances to them
callow upstarts heedless of counsel unfelled by the mace uncut by the blade young and rash
callow upstarts they shall not avert except the obvious
PORTION II
To the philosopher thoughts and writings are his close friends he sees to needs he then dotes on work and study
To the philosopher thoughts and writings are his dear friends exile?s release from sycophants wary of him
TWENTIETH MORSEL
Emotion in the thick of bandying
Eloquence is reduced to instinct
The will to survive repeats in mind
Asserts itself amidst the bedlam
Barbaric ululations and cries
Enemy?s breath and blows on the flesh
Attack..defend..retaliate..avenge
Advance..retreat..encircle..scatter
There is no room to mourn the fallen
While in the midst of war?s grim reaping
Those destined to live long and see much
Shall live and thrive long after youth?s bloom .
TWENTY FIRST MORSEL
One class wash clothing inside common pools with scent and reek of others? washing One class have clothing cleaned inside clear pools water stored in lavish amphoraes Disparity exists even in the city of the world
A part of the city is alive when the sun is out A part of the city languishes in darkness at dusk The beast of disparity also dwells and lurks in Rome
Garrisons guard borders ever vigilantly behind stone slabs of sturdy fortress walls But it is too risky to take a walk at night in the city without armed entourage One quarter boasts stone and marble One quarter built from brick and wood Disparity exists even in the city of the world