Horace Satires 1:3 Lines 62-75

Question 1

simplicior quis et est, qualem me saepe libenter
obtulerim tibi, Maecenas, ut forte legentem
aut tacitum inpellat quovis sermone: ‘molestus,
communi sensu plane caret’ inquimus. Eheu,

Answer 1

Of one who’s unsophisticated, the sort that often I have often presented
Myself to you [as being], Maecenas, [the sort that] interrupts you
Perhaps, while reading or silent, tiresome with some conversation [or other]: [65]
We say [of him]: ‘He clearly lacks the social feeling.’ Alas,

Question 2

Eheu,
quam temere in nosmet legem sancimus iniquam.
nam vitiis nemo sine nascitur; optimus ille est,
qui minimis urgetur. amicus dulcis, ut aequum est,
cum mea conpenset vitiis bona, pluribus hisce
si modo plura mihi bona sunt, inclinet, amari
si volet: hac lege in trutina ponetur eadem.,

Answer 2

How casually we enact an unfair law against ourselves!

For nobody is born without faults: the best is he
Who is burdened beset with the least. A sweet friend, as is fair,
Let him weigh up my good [points] with my faults, and let him [70]
Tip the scales to these the more, if only my good [points] are the more,
If he wishes to be loved: by this law shall he be placed in the same scale.

Question 3

qui, ne tuberibus propriis offendat amicum,
postulat, ignoscet verrucis illius: aequum est
peccatis veniam poscentem reddere rursus.

Answer 3

He who demands that he does not offend his friend with
His own boils, let him pardon him his warts: it is fair
That someone asking for pardon for his sins should give [pardon] back in return.