Atqui si vitiis mediocribus ac mea paucis mendosa est natura, alioqui recta, velut si egregio inspersos reprehendas corpore naevos, si neque avaritiam neque sordes nec mala lustra obiciet vere quisquam mihi, purus et insons, ut me collaudem, si et vivo carus amicis... at hoc nunc laus illi debetur et a me gratia maior. nil me paeniteat sanum patris huius, eoque non, ut magna dolo factum negat esse suo pars, quod non ingenuos habeat clarosque parentis, sic me defendam.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The writer admits personal flaws but asserts purity and innocence, seeking praise from friends and gratitude from a higher source.
- In plain terms
- Despite flaws, he claims innocence and seeks approval.
- What can you take from it?
- Acknowledge imperfections while aiming for integrity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can one be truly innocent while flawed?
- What is the value of external praise?
Another view
Self‑declared innocence may conflict with actual behavior.
More from Horace
Inde fit ut raro, qui se vixisse beatum dicat et exacto contentus tempore vita cedat uti conviva satur, reperire queamus.
Permalink to quote #1 Nil sine magno vita labore dedit mortalibus.
Permalink to quote #3 Nil desperandum...
Permalink to quote #4
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