Propertius

Sextus Propertius (50 BC – 16 BC) was a Roman elegiac poet in Maecenas' circle.

Elegies

 * Neque assueto mutet amore torum.
 * Never change when love has found its home.
 * I, i, 36.


 * Nudus Amor formam non amat artificem.
 * Love is naked, and loves not beauty gained by artifice.
 * I, ii, 8; translation by G.P. Goold


 * Navita de ventis, de tauris narrat arator, Enumerat miles vulnera, pastor oves.
 * The sailor tells of winds, the ploughman of bulls, the soldier counts his wounds, the shepherd his sheep.
 * II, i, 43–4.


 * Qua pote quisque, in ea conterat arte diem.
 * Let each man pass his days in that wherein his skill is greatest.
 * II, i, 46.


 * Aut patrio qualis ponit vestigia ponto Mille Venus teneris cincta Cupidinibus.
 * O like Venus attended by a thousand tender Cupids, setting foot upon the sea that gave her birth.
 * II, ii, 9-10.


 * Quod si deficiant vires, audacia certe Laus erit: in magnis et voluisse sat est.
 * What though strength fails? Boldness is certain to win praise. In mighty enterprises, it is enough to have had the determination.
 * Variant translation: Even if strength fail, boldness at least will deserve praise: in great endeavors even to have had the will is enough.
 * II, x, 5.


 * ''Quicumque ille fuit, puerum qui pinxit Amorem nonne putas miras hunc habuisse manus? is primum vidit sine sensu vivere amantes
 * Whoever he was who first depicted Amor as a boy, don’t you think it was a wonderful touch? He was the first to see that lovers live without sense.
 * II, xii, 1-3; translation by A. S. Kline


 * Nemo in amore videt.
 * No one in love can see.
 * II, xiv, 18.


 * Errat, qui finem vesani quaerit amoris: verus amor nullum novit habere modum
 * He errs that seeks to set a term to the frenzy of love; true love hath no bound.
 * II, xv, 29; translation by H.E. Butler


 * Absenti nemo non nocuisse velit.
 * Let no one be willing to speak ill of the absent.
 * II, xix, 32.


 * Unus quisque sua noverit ire via.
 * Let each man have the wit to go his own way.
 * II, xxv, 38.


 * Semper in absentes felicior aestus amantes.
 * Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
 * II, xxxiii, 43.


 * Cedite Romani scriptores, cedite Grai! Nescio quid maius nascitur Iliade.
 * Make way, you Roman writers, make way, Greeks! Something greater than the Iliad is born.
 * Of Virgil’s Aeneid.
 * II, xxxiv, 65.

Luridaque evictos effugit umbra rogos.''
 * ''Sunt aliquid Manes: letum non omnia finit,
 * There is something beyond the grave; death does not end all, and the pale ghost escapes from the vanquished pyre.
 * IV, vii, 1.


 * Magnum iter ascendo; sed dat mihi gloria vires
 * I am climbing a difficult road; but the glory gives me strength.
 * IV. 10. 3