The Odes/Book II/10

Book II, 9: Stop Weeping

The Odes Book II, 10: The Golden Mean written by Horace

Book II, 11: Don’t Ask

Translated by A. S. Kline

The Golden Mean       You’ll live more virtuously, my Murena, by not setting out to sea, while you’re in dread of the storm, or hugging fatal shores too closely, either.   Whoever takes delight in the golden mean, safely avoids the squalor of a shabby house, and, soberly, avoids the regal palace that incites envy.   The tall pine’s more often shaken by the wind, and it’s a high tower that falls with a louder crash, while the mountainous summits are places where lightning strikes.   The heart that is well prepared for any fate hopes in adversity, fears prosperity. Though Jupiter brings us all the unlovely winters: he also   takes them away again. If there’s trouble now it won’t always be so: sometimes Apollo rouses the sleeping Muse with his lyre, when he’s not flexing his bow.   Appear brave and resolute in difficult times: and yet be wise and take in all your sails when they’re swollen by too powerful a following wind.   ...