“'Tis a hard task this, not to sacrifice manners to wealth.”

— Martial, Epigrammata, Book XI, 5 (Loeb translation)

About Martial

40 – 104

Roman poet, master of the epigram.

“Your birthday as my own to me is dear.”

“My poems are naughty, but my life is pure.”

“Believe me, wise men don't say ‘I shall live to do that’, tomorrow's life is too late; live today.”

“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”

“Give us the tools and we will finish the job.”

“The fact is the sweetest dream that labor knows.”

“The poet shall not spend his time in unneeded work.”

“Make every effort to change things you do not like.”

“We hired truly great people and gave them the room to do great work.”