Chapter 4: Death

Iste/ista/ istud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Levis/levis/ leve (3): light; trivial, trifling. Est: is. Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; in that; because. Timēmus is the first person plural form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Gravis/gravis/ grave (3): heavy; hard; grave, serious. (That is trifling; that we fear (it) is serious.)

Potius (adv.): rather; preferably. Semel (adv.): once, a single time. Incidat is the third person singular subjunctive form of incidō, incidere, incidī, incāsum (3): to fall into; meet; occur, happen (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Quam (rel. adv.): than. Semper (adv.): always. Impendeat is the third person singular subjunctive form of impendeō, impendēre, —, — (2): to overhang, hover over; threaten, impend (subjunctive because it’s potential). (Let it rather happen once than always be threatening.)

Quantum (rel. adv.): as much as. Potes is the second person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Itaque (adv.): and so, therefore, then. Ipse /ipsa/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/yourself/myself/etc. ; in person. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you (used reflexively: yourself). Cohortāre is the singular imperative form of cohortor, cohortārī, cohortātus sum (1, deponent): to encourage, exhort. Lūcīlī is the masculine vocative singular form of the family name Lūcīlius/Lūcīlia/Lūcīlium (1/2). Contrā (prep.): against, opposite (takes the accusative). Metum is the accusative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear. Mors, mortis (3f): death. (As much as you can, then, yourself exhort yourself, Lucilius, against the fear of death.)

Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (masculine because it stands for the masculine noun metus). Est: is. Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Humilēs is the m/f accusative plural form of humilis/humilis/humile (3): low; lowly; humble, insignificant; base, abject. Facit is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. (This is what makes us lowly.)

Hic est quī: this is what (see above). Vītam is the accusative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Ipsam is the feminine accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; the very. Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Parcit is the third person singular form of parcō, parcere, pepercī/parsī, parsum (3): to refrain; spare; it takes a dative object. Inquiētat is the third person singular form of inquiētō, inquiētāre, inquiētāvī, inquiētātum (1): to disturb. Atque/ ac (conj.): and. Perdit is the third person singular form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy, ruin; waste; lose. (This is what disturbs and ruins the very life which it spares.)

Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Ista is the neuter accusative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Dīlātat is the third person singular form of dīlātō, dīlātāre, dīlātāvī, dīlātātum (1): to spread out, extend, enlarge. Terrārum is the genitive plural form of terra, terrae (1f): land; earth. Mōtūs is the accusative plural form of mōtus, mōtūs (4m): motion, movement. Terrae mōtus = earthquake. Et (conj.): and. Fulmina is the accusative plural form of fulmen, fulminis (3n): lightning, thunderbolt. (This enlarges all those things, earthquakes and thunderbolts.)

Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō (particle): therefore, then. Huic is the m/f/n dative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (dative of agent with the gerundive: by him). Meditandus/meditanda/ meditandum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be contemplated) of meditor, meditārī, meditātus sum (1, deponent): to think about, contemplate, ponder; practice, rehearse. Est: is. Meditandum est is the passive periphrastic: it is to be contemplated, it must be contemplated. (What, then, is to be contemplated by him?)

Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (that which). Adversus (prep.): against (takes the accusative). Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Tēla is the accusative plural form of tēlum, tēlī (2n): weapon, missile. Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (that which). Adversus (prep.): against (takes the accusative). Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Omne is the neuter accusative singular form of is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Hostium is the genitive plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy. Genus is the accusative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, class; race. Bene (adv.): well. Facit is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. (That which against all weapons, that which against every kind of enemies, does well. . .)

Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Contemnō, contemnere, contempsī, contemptum (3): to despise, scorn, have contempt for (infinitives can also serve as neuter singular nouns, so the quod clauses earlier in fact look forward and refer to this infinitive). (. . . to despise death—or: . . . despising death.)

Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (he who). Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, deponent): to die. Didicit is the third person singular perfect form of discō, discere, didicī, discitūrus (3): to learn. Serviō, servīre, servīvī/serviī, servītum (4): to serve; be a slave. Dēdidicit is the third person singular perfect form of dēdiscō, dēdiscere, dēdidicī, — (3): to unlearn, forget. (He who has learned to die, has unlearned to be a slave.)

Suprā (prep.): above, over (takes the accusative). Omnem is the m/f accusative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Potentiam is the accusative singular form of potentia, potentiae (1f): power, force. Est: he is. Certē (adv.): certainly; at any rate. Extrā (prep.): outside of (takes the accusative). (He is above all power, at any rate outside all (power).)

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Illum is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she it. Carcer, carceris (3m): prison. Et (conj.): and. Custōdia, custōdiae (1f): guard, custody, confinement. Claustra is the nominative plural form of claustrum, claustrī (2n, usually plural): bar, lock, barricade, door. A verb like attinent or pertinent (meaning pertain or matter) is implied. (What to him (do) prison and confinement and bars (matter)?)

Fac is the singular imperative form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Itaque (adv.): and so, therefore, then. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to you, to yourself). Iūcundam is the feminine accusative singular form of iūcundus/iūcunda/iūcundum (1/2): pleasant, agreeable. Vītam is the accusative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Omnem is the m/f accusative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Prō (prep.): in front of; for; instead of; on behalf of; about. Illā is the feminine ablative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she it. Sollicitūdinem is the accusative singular form of sollicitūdō, sollicitūdinis (3f): anxiety, worry. Dēpōnendō is the ablative gerund (by banishing) of dēpōnō, dēpōnere, dēposuī, dēpositum (3): to put down or aside; abandon, resign, drop. (So make life agreeable to you by dropping all anxiety about it.)

Nūllus/nūlla/ nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good. Adiuvat is the third person singular form of adiuvō, adiuvāre, adiūvī, adiūtum (1): to help, assist; benefit. Habentem is the m/f accusative singular form of habēns, habentis (3), the present active participle (having) of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Ad (prep.): to; for (takes the accusative). Cuius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Āmissiōnem is the accusative singular form of āmissiō, āmissiōnis (3f): loss. Praeparātus /praeparāta/praeparātum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (prepared) of praeparō, praeparāre, praeparāvī, praeparātum (1): to prepare. Est: is. Animus, animī (2m): mind. (No good benefits the (person) having (it) except (that good) for whose loss the mind is prepared.)

Nūllīus is the m/f/n genitive singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. Rēs, reī (5f.): thing; matter, affair. Facilior/ facilior /facilius (3): easier—the comparative form of facilis/facilis/facile (3): easy. Āmissiō, āmissiōnis (3f): loss. Est: is. (And the loss of no thing is easier. . .)

Quam (rel. adv.): than. Quī/ quae /quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Dēsīderārī is the passive infinitive form of dēsīderō, dēsīderāre, dēsīderāvī, dēsīderātum (1): to miss; desire. Āmissus/ āmissa /āmissum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (lost) of āmittō, āmittere, āmīsī, āmissum (3): to let go; lose. Nōn: not. Potest is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. (. . than (the loss of that thing) which, having been lost, is not able to be missed.)

Tōtus/ tōta /tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire. Enim (particle): for, truly, after all, indeed. Philosophōrum is the genitive plural form of philosophus, philosophī (2m): philosopher. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Commentātiō, commentātiōnis (3f): study, meditation; thinking out, (mental) preparation. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Est: is. (For the entire life of philosophers is preparation of death.)

Num (interrog. particle): starts a question with a negative answer expected; untranslated in independent questions (surely. . . not?). Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/qua/quid (indef. pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything. Dētrīmentum, dētrīmentī (2n): harm, damage, detriment, loss. Faceret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact). Dētrīmentum facere = to suffer a detriment or loss. Vir, virī (2m): man. Bonus /bona/bonum (1/2): good. Inīquīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of inīquus/inīqua/inīquum (1/2): unjust, unfair. Rūmōribus is the ablative plural form of rūmor, rūmōris (3m): rumor, gossip, hearsay. Sparsus /sparsa/sparsum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (spattered) of spargō, spargere, sparsī, sparsum (3): to sprinkle, spatter, strew. (Would a good man spattered by unjust rumors make anything of detriment—i.e., suffer any detriment?)

Nē (adv.): not (nē quidem = not even). Mortī is the dative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Quidem (particle): indeed, certainly. Hic/hace/ hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Apud (prep.): with, near; among; at the house of; in the judgment of, in the eyes of (takes the accusative). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Noceat is the third person singular subjunctive form of noceō, nocēre, nocuī, nocitum (2): to injure, hurt, harm; it takes a dative object (subjunctive because it’s a negative command (a prohibition). (Not even to death let this do harm among us/in our judgment.)

Et (adv.): even; also. Hic/ haec /hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (referring to mors, since it’s feminine singular). Malam is the feminine accusative singular form of malus/mala/malum (1/2): bad; evil. Olitiōnem is the accusative singular form of olitiō, olitiōnis (3f): odor, smell (a somewhat dubious word that doesn’t appear anywhere else in classical works and may be a scribal mistake; perhaps Seneca originally wrote audītiōnem, the accusative singular form of audītiō, audītiōnis (3f): hearing; hearsay, rumor, reputation; or opīniōnem, the accusative singular form of opīniō, opīniōnis (3f): opinion, belief; reputation). Habet is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. (For this also has a bad odor/reputation.)

Nēmō, nēminis (3m/f): no one. Eōrum: of those—the m/n genitive plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Illam is the feminine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she it (again referring to death). Accūsant is the third person plural form of accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to blame, make complaint about, accuse. Expertus est is the third person masculine singular perfect form of experior, experīrī, expertus sum (4, deponent): to try out, put to the test; experience. (No one of those who accuse it has tried (it).)

Mors, mortis (3f): death. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. (Death is coming to you.)

Timendus/ timenda /timendum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be feared) of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Erat: it was—the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be—but here it’s read as if subjunctive (this statement is a contrary-to-fact conditional, which usually would feature subjunctive verbs in both clauses; but in the apodosis (the independent clause), an indicative verb is sometimes used—such as erat). Sī (conj.): if. Tēcum: with you (tē = you; cum = with). Esse: to be. Posset is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): be able, can (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact). (It was—i.e., would be—to be feared, if it were able to be with you.)

Sed (conj.): but. Necesse (indeclinable adj.): necessary, inevitable. Est: it is (necesse est = it is necessary or inevitable (for something to happen); the expression can be completed with a subjunctive verb, like here). Aut (conj.): or (aut. . . aut = either. . . or). Nōn: not. Perveniat is the third person singular subjunctive form of perveniō, pervenīre, pervēnī, perventum (4): to come (all the way to a place), arrive. Aut (conj.): or. Trānseat is the third person singular subjunctive form of trānseō, trānsīre, trānsīvī/trānsiī, trānsitum (irreg.): to pass over, pass away, pass through. (But it is necessary either (that) it does not come or (that) it passes away.)

(This is a dialogue between Marcus Tullius Cicero (M.) and a fictitious guest of his, the Audītor (listener).) Nōn: not. Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Fortasse (adv.) perhaps. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Sentiō, sentīre, sēnsī, sēnsum (4): to feel; perceive; think, judge, suppose. (Perhaps I still am not saying what I feel.)

Nam (particle): for, because; certainly. Istuc is the neuter accusative singular form of istic/istaec/istuc (pron.): that (of yours). Ipsum is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; the very (same). Nōn: not. Esse: to be. Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Fuerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (this verb has at least two and maybe three reasons for being in the subjunctive: (1) its subject is a general you; (2) it’s part of indirect speech; and (3) the cum clause can be interpreted as adversative—but (3) is only a possibility; one can’t be sure if Cicero would have put the verb in the subjunctive if the other reasons for it hadn’t been there). Miserrimum is the m/n accusative singular form of miserrimus/miserrima/miserrimum (1/2): very/most wretched, very/most miserable—the superlative form of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, miserable. Putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, regard, suppose. (For I think that very same not to be when you have been (to be) very miserable.)

Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Miserior/miserior/ miserius (3): more wretched, more miserable—the comparative form of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, miserable. Quam (rel. adv.): than. Omnīnō (adv.): entirely, at all. Numquam (adv.): never. Fuisse is the perfect infinitive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. (What? more miserable than never to have been at all?)

Ita (adv.): so, thus. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōndum (adv.): not yet. Nātī sunt is the third person masculine plural perfect form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born; spring forth. Miserī is the masculine nominative plural of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, miserable. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Sunt: (they) are. Quia (conj.): because, for. Nōn: not. (So they who have not been born yet are already miserable because they are not.)

Et (conj.): and. Nōs: we. Sī (conj.): if. Post (prep.): after; behind (takes the accusative). Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Miserī: miserable (see above). Futūrī is the masculine nominative plural form of futūrus/futūra/futūrum (1/2), the future active participle (about to be, going to be) of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Sumus: we are—the first person plural form of the same verb. Miserī: miserable (see above). Fuimus is the first person plural perfect form of esse. Ante (adv.): before, earlier, previously (ante quam = earlier than, before (something happened)). Quam (rel. adv.): than. Nātī is the masculine nominative plural form of nātus/nāta/nātum (1/2), the perfect active participle (having been born) of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born; spring forth. (And if we are going to be miserable after death, we were miserable before (we were) born.)

Ego: I. Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. Nōn: not. Commeminī, commeminisse, —, — (3): to recollect, remember. Ante quam: before (see above). Sum nātus is the first person masculine singular perfect form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born; spring forth. Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me, myself). Miserum is the m/n accusative singular form of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, miserable. (But I do not remember myself miserable before I was born.) Tū: you. Sī (conj.): if. Meliōre is the m/f/n ablative singular form of melior/melior/melius (3): better—the comparative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Memoriā is the ablative singular form of memoria, memoriae (1f): memory. Meliōre memoriā is an ablative of quality/description. Es: you are. Velim is the first person singular subjunctive form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Ecquid is the neuter accusative singular form of ecquis/ecquid (interrog. pron.): is there anyone who. . . ? is there anything that. . . ? is/does/etc. anyone/anything. . . ? in an indirect question: whether anyone, whether anything. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Tē is the ablative form of tū: you (used reflexively: yourself). Recordēre is the second person singular subjunctive form of recordor, recordārī, recordātus sum (1, deponent): to remember, recall (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). (If you are with a better memory, I would wish to know whether you recollect anything about yourself.)

Negā is the singular imperative form of negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny; refuse. Nunc (adv.): now. Magnum is the m/n accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large; important. Beneficium is the accusative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, favor, benefit. Esse: to be. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. (Deny now (it) to be a great kindness of nature. . .)

Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; in that; because. Necesse (indeclinable adj.): necessary, inevitable. Est: it is. Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, deponent): to die. (. . . that it is inevitable to die.)

Quem is the masculine accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? What? Mihi: to me—the dative form of ego: I. Dabis is the second person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Aliquod is the neuter accusative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, any. Pretium is the accusative singular form of pretium, pretiī (2n): worth, price, value. Temporī is the dative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time (the usual use of to or for to complete the idea is a little awkward in English, but in any event this word is the indirect object of the action). Pōnat is the third person singular subjunctive form of pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum (3): to place, set up (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic). (Whom will you give me who places any value to/on time. . .)

Quī /quae/quod (pron.): who, which, that, what. Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5 m/f): day. Aestimet is the third person singular subjunctive form of aestimō, aestimāre, aestimāvī, aestimātum (1): to estimate, value, assess, reckon (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic). Intellegat is the third person singular subjunctive form of intellegō, intelligere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand (subjunctive for the same reason as above). Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Cōtīdiē (adv. —also cottīdiē): daily, every day. Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, deponent): to die. (. . . who (rightly) assesses (the worth of) a day, who understands himself to be dying every day?)

In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Hōc is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Fallimur is the first person plural passive form of fallō, fallere, fefellī, falsum (3): to deceive. Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; in that; because. Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Prōspicimus is the first person plural form of prōspiciō, prōspicere, prōspexī, prōspectum (3, –iō): to look before one (at); look out; see ahead; foresee. (For in this we are deceived, that we see death ahead.)

Magnus/ magna /magnum (1/2): great, large; important. Pars, partis (3f): part, portion, share; faction, party, side. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that (of it). Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Praeterīt (contracted variant of praeteriit) is the third person singular perfect form of praetereō, praeterīre, praeteriī/praeterīvī, praeteritum (irreg.): to pass (by). (A great part of it has already passed.)

Quisquis/ quicquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quidquid): whoever, whatever. Aetās, aetātis (3f): age; era; lifetime. Retrō (adv.): backward, back, behind. Est: is. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Tenet is the third person singular form of teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold; hold back, restrain. (Whatever of a lifetime is behind, death holds.)

Nēmō, nēminis (3m/f): no one. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what extent? Bene (adv.): well. Vīvat is the third person singular subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Sed (conj.): but. Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Cūrat is the third person singular form of cūrō, cūrāre, cūrāvī, cūrātum (1): to care; take care of; cure. (No one cares how well he lives, but how long. . .)

Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Omnibus is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Possit is the third person singular subjunctive form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can (subjunctive because it’s in a concessive cum clause). Contingō, contingere, contigī, contāctum (3): to touch; reach; (with dative) happen to, be granted to, fall to the lot of. Ut (conj. , with subjunctive): that. Bene (adv.): well. Vīvant is the third person plural subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. (. . . although that they live well can be granted to all. . .)

Ut (conj.): that. Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Nūllī is the m/f/n (here m) dative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any; (m. sg. used substantively) no one (dative with contingere). (. . . that (they live) for a long time, to no one.)

Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Bene (adv.): well. Vīvās is the second person singular subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Rēfert, rēferre, rētulit, — (3, irreg. , impers.): it matters, it is important, it makes a difference. Nōn: not. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. (How well you live matters, not how long. . .)

Saepe (adv.): often, frequently. Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Hōc is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Est: is. Bene (adv.): well. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. (. . . and often well is in this: not for a long time.)

Iter, itineris (3n): journey; route. Inperfectus/inperfecta/ inperfectum (1/2—also imperfectus): unfinished, incomplete. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Sī (conj.) if. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Mediā is the feminine ablative singular form of medius/media/medium (1/2): middle. Parte is the ablative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part; party, faction. Aut (conj.): or. Citrā (prep.): on this side of; not as far as, short of (takes accusative). Petītum is the m/n accusative singular form of petītus/petīta/petītum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (sought) of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; seek; desire; ask. Locum is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place. Steteris is the second person singular future perfect form of stō, stāre, stetī, statum (1): to stand; stand still; stop, come to a halt. (A journey will be incomplete if you come to a halt in the middle part or on this side of the place sought. . .)

Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Nōn: not. Est: (it) is. Inperfectus/ inperfecta /inperfectum (1/2—also imperfectus): unfinished, incomplete. Sī (conj.): if. Honestus/ honesta /honestum (1/2): honorable, virtuous, noble. (. . . (but) a life is not incomplete if it is honorable.)

Ubicumque (rel. adv.): wherever. Dēsinēs is the second person singular future form of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsīvī/dēsiī, dēsitum (3): to leave off, finish, stop, make an end. Sī (conj.): if. Bene (adv.): well. Tōtus/ tōta /tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire, total, all. Est: it is. (The use of the present tense here at the end, after starting in the future tense, makes the idea of attainability more emphatic.) (Wherever you leave off, if you leave off well, it is whole.)

Saepe (adv.): often, frequently. Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. Et (conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Fortiter (adv.): bravely; strongly. Dēsinendus/dēsinenda/ dēsinendum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be left off) of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsīvī/dēsiī, dēsitum (3): to leave off, finish, stop, make an end. Est: it is (dēsinendum est is an impersonal passive periphrastic construction: one must leave off). Et (conj.): and. Nōn: not. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of; for (a reason). Maximīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2): very great/greatest, very large/largest—the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large. Causīs is the ablative plural form of causa, causae (1f): cause, reason. (Often, moreover, one must leave off both bravely and not for very great reasons. . .)

Nam (particle): for, because; certainly. Nec (adv.): neither, not either; not even. Eae is the feminine nominative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Maximae is the feminine nominative plural form of maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2): very great/greatest, very large/largest—the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large. Sunt: (they) are. Quae is the f/n nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Tenent is the third person plural form of teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold. (. . . for neither are those very great which hold us (here).)

Nōn: not. Tam (adv.): so (much), to such an extent, as. Multīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Vīxit is the third person singular perfect form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Annīs is the ablative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Tam. . . quam = as. . . as. Potuit is the third person singular perfect form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. (He did not live for as many years as he could (have).)

Et (conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Paucōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of paucus/pauca/paucum (1/2): (in sg. , rare) little; (in pl. , the more frequent usage) few. Versuum is the genitive plural form of versus, versūs (4m): line (of writing), verse. Liber, librī (2m): book. Est: there is. Et (conj.): and. Quidem (particle): at any rate; indeed, certainly, in fact, what is more, at that. Laudandus /laudanda/laudandum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be praised) of laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātum (1): to praise. Atque /ac (conj.): and, and also, and then. Ūtilis /ūtilis/ūtile (3): useful, helpful, beneficial. (There is a book both of few lines and indeed to be praised and useful.)

Annālēs is the nominative plural form of annālis, annālis (3m): chronicle, annal (a substantive use of annālis/annālis/annāle (3): annual). Tanūsiī is the m/n (here m) genitive singular form of the family name Tanūsius/Tanūsia/Tanūsium (1/2) (here referring to Tanusius Geminus, a Roman historian). Scīs is the second person singular form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Ponderōsī is the masculine nominative plural form of ponderōsus/ponderōsa/ponderōsum (1/2): heavy, ponderous. Sint is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Et (conj.): and. Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Vocentur is the third person plural passive subjunctive form of vocō, vocāre, vocāvī, vocātum (1): to call, name (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). (The annals of Tanusius, you know how ponderous they are and what they are called.)

Hōc is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Est: is. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Quōrundam is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, a certain one, something. Longus/ longa /longum (1/2): long; far off. Et (adv.): also; even. Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; in that; because. Hōc. . . quod = by this. . . that, by this. . . because; i.e., by the fact that, because. Tanūsiī: of Tanusius (see above). Sequitur is the third person singular form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow; follow in the track of, conform to. Annālēs is the accusative plural form of annālis, annālis (3f): chronicle, annal. (By this is the life of certain people long, also because they follow the annals of Tanusius!)

Quōmodō (rel. adv.): how, (in the same way) as. Fābula, fābulae (1f): fable; play; story. Sīc (adv.): thus, so, in such manner. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Nōn: not. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Sed (conj.): but. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Bene (adv.): well. Ācta sit is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, set in motion; do; act (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Rēfert, rēferre, rētulit, — (3, irreg. , impers.): it matters, it is important, it makes a difference. (As a play, so a life—(it’s) not for how long, but how well it has been acted, (that) matters.)

Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun, here accusative): nothing. Ad (prep.) to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Pertinet is the third person singular form of pertineō, pertinēre, pertinuī, — (2): to reach; matter, pertain, apply, affect; belong. Pertinēre with ad rem means to be relevant or to the point. (OLD); nihil ad rem pertinet = it is not relevant at all. Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; point. Dēsinās is the second person singular subjunctive form of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsiī, dēsitum (3): to cease, stop, make an end (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). (It pertains nothing to the matter—it matters nothing at all—at what point you stop.)

Quōcumque is the m/n ablative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whichever, whatever. Volēs is the second person singular future form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Dēsine is the singular imperative form of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsiī, dēsitum (3): to cease, stop, make an end. (Stop at whichever (point) you wish.)

Tantum (adv.): so much; only, just (just be sure. . .). Bonam is the feminine accusative singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Clausulam is the accusative singular form of clausula, clausulae (1f): close, end, ending. Inpōne is the singular imperative form of inpōnō, inpōnere, inposuī, inpositum(3—also impōne): to place upon, put upon; impose. (Only put a good end (to/upon it)—give it a good ending.) Gummere notes a relevant account of the death of Augustus (from Suetonius): on his deathbed he asked those around him ecquid iīs vidērētur mīmum vītae commodē trānsēgisse (whether he seemed to them to have performed the play of life suitably) and, since he had, to dismiss him with applause.

Quid (interrog. adv.): why? Servō is the dative singular form of servus, servī (2m): slave. Dominō is the dative singular form of dominus, dominī (2m): lord, master. Rēgī is the dative singular form of rēx, rēgis (3m): king, ruler; patron (see next word). Clientī is the dative singular form of cliēns, clientis (3m): client (in ancient Rome this meant a person placed under the protection of a more powerful one—the patron —and fulfilling certain duties toward him in return). Tuō is the m/n dative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Īrāsceris is the second person singular form of īrāscor, īrāscī, īrātus sum (3, deponent): to be or become angry (it takes a dative object). (Why are you angry at your slave, why at your master, why at your patron, why at your client?)

Sustinē is the singular imperative form of sustineō, sustinēre, sustinuī, sustentum (2): to hold up, support; bear up, endure; delay, wait. Paulum (adv.): a little. (Wait a little.)

Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Ecce (interjection): behold, see. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Quī/ quae /quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Vōs is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.). Parēs is the m/f accusative plural form of pār, paris (3, adj.): equal. Faciat is the third person singular subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of purpose; quae faciat can be translated as to make). (Behold, death is coming, which is to make you equals—or: death is coming to make you equals.)

Hōc (adv.): here (with motion), hither, to this place (in this case, toward death). Omnis/ omnis /omne (3): every; all. Iste/ ista /istud (adj.): that (feminine to agree with turba, coming later). Quī/ quae /quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Forō is the ablative singular form of forum, forī (2n): forum, marketplace. Lītigat is the third person singular form of lītigō, lītigāre, lītigāvī, lītigātum (1): to go to law, litigate; dispute, quarrel. Spectat is the third person singular form of spectō, spectāre, spectāvī, spectātum (1): to watch; aim at. Theātrīs is the ablative plural form of theātrum, theātrī (2n): theater. Templīs is the ablative plural form of templum, templī (2n): temple, shrine. Precātur is the third person singular form of precor, precārī, precātus sum (1, deponent): to pray. Turba, turbae (1f): uproar; crowd, mob. Disparī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of dispār, disparis (3, adj.): unequal; different. Gradū is the ablative singular form of gradus, gradūs (4m): step, pace. Vādit is the third person singular form of vādō, vādere, vāsī, — (3): to go (especially quickly, violently or purposefully). (To this place all that crowd which litigates in the forum, watches in the theaters, prays in the temple, is going (each) at a different pace.)

Et (conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Quae is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Dīligis is the second person singular form of dīligō, dīligere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum (3): to esteem, love. Venerāris is the second person singular form of veneror, venerārī, venerātus sum (1, deponent): to adore, worship, revere. Et (conj.): and. Quae is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Dēspicis is the second person singular form of dēspiciō, dēspicere, dēspexī, dēspectum (3, –iō): to despise, look down upon. (Both the things that you love (and) revere and the things that you despise. . .)

Ūnus /ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single; one and the same. Exaequābit is the third person singular future form of exaequō, exaequāre, exaequāvī, exaequātum (1): to equalize, make equal; balance. Cinis, cineris (3m/f—more usually m): ash or ashes (especially of a corpse). (. . . one and the same ash will make equal.)

Imparēs is the m/f nominative plural form of impār, imparis (3, adj.): unequal, uneven. Nāscimur is the first person plural form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born; grow, spring forth. Parēs is the m/f nominative plural form of pār, paris (3): equal, even. Morimur is the first person plural form of morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die. (We are born unequal; we die equal.)

Idem is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Urbibus is the ablative plural form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Urbium is the genitive plural form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Incolīs is the ablative plural form of incola, incolae (1m/f): inhabitant, resident. Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. (I say the same about cities that (I say) about the inhabitants of cities. . .)

Tam (adv.): so (much), as. Ardea, Ardeae (1f): a town near Rome (see below). Capta (est): was taken—the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize; receive. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Tam. . . quam = as. . . as, as well as. Rōma, Rōmae (1f): Rome. Est: (part of a phrase with capta). #(see capta)% (Ardea was as taken as Rome (was)—or: Ardea was taken as well as Rome.)

Conditor, conditōris (3m): maker, builder, founder. Ille /illa/illud (adj.): that (sometimes, like here, it implies that/the great. . .). Iūs, iūris (3n): law, right; duty; power, authority. Humānī is the m/n genitive singular form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human. Nōn: not. Nātālibus is the m/f/n ablative plural form of nātālis/nātālis/nātāle (3): natal, of birth (n. pl. used substantively to mean the circumstances of one’s birth, one’s parentage). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Neque/ nec (conj.): and not, neither, nor. Nōminum is the genitive plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name. Clāritāte is the ablative singular form of clāritās, clāritātis (3f): loudness; brightness; clarity; fame, renown. Distīnxit is the third person singular perfect form of distinguō, distinguere, distīnxī, distīnctum (3): to distinguish, separate; adorn. Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Dum (conj.): while, as; as long as; until. Sumus: we are; we exist. (That founder of human law has not distinguished us by birth nor by renown of names except while we are/while we are existing—i.e., alive.)

Errās is the second person singular form of errō, errāre, errāvī, errātum (1): to err, be mistaken; go astray. Sī (conj.): if. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Nāvigātiōne is the ablative singular form of nāvigātiō, nāvigātiōnis (3f): a sailing, voyage. Tantum (adv.): so much; only. Exīstimās is the second person singular form of exīstimō, exīstimāre, exīstimāvī, exīstimātum (1): to think, suppose; judge. Minimum is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of minimus/minima/minimum (1/2): smallest, least; very small—the superlative form of parvus/parva/parvum (1/2): small, little. Esse: to be. (You err if you think only in a voyage to be small. . .)

Quō is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (by which—the ablative of means). Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Morte is the ablative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Dīdūcitur is the third person singular passive form of dīdūcō, dīdūcere, dīdūxī, dīductum (3): to separate; draw apart. (. . . (that) by which life is separated from death.)

In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Omnī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; point. Aequē (adv.): equally, just as. Tenuis/tenuis/ tenue (1/2): thin; narrow. Intervallum, intervallī (2n): interval, distance. Est: is. (In every place the distance is just as narrow.)

Nōn: not. Ubīque (adv.): everywhere. Sē: itself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Tam (adv.): so (much), to such an extent, as. Prope (adv.): near. Ostendit is the third person singular form of ostendō, ostendere, ostendī, ostentum/ostēnsum (3): to show, exhibit. Est: it is. (Not everywhere does death show itself so near: everywhere it is so near.)

Negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny; refuse. Quicquam is the neuter accusative singular form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything. Esse: to be. Quiēs, quiētis (3f): rest, quiet, peace. Aeternae is the feminine genitive singular form of aeternus/aeterna/aeternum (1/2): lasting, permanent, eternal. (I deny anything to be of lasting peace. . .)

Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to be lost or destroyed; disappear; perish die. Possit is the third person singular subjunctive form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic—and even if it weren’t, it might still be subjunctive because of indirect speech). Et (conj.): and. Perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to lose; destroy; squander. (. . . that is able to perish and to destroy.)

Ego: I. Vērō (particle): truly; by all means; on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover. Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Ipsum is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; the very. Sōlācium, sōlāciī (2n): comfort, solace. Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; point. Pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum (3): to place, put, set up. (But I put this very thing in the place of solace—i.e., I regard it as a comfort. . .)

Et (conj.): and. Quidem (particle): at any rate; indeed, certainly, in fact. Valentissimī is the m/n genitive singular form of valentissimus/valentissima/valentissimum (1/2): very strong/strongest, very/most powerful—the superlative form of valēns, valentis (3, adj.): strong, powerful. (. . . and indeed of very powerful (solace). . .)

Quandō (rel. adv.): seeing that, since. Quidem (particle): at any rate; indeed, certainly, in fact. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Remediō is the ablative singular form of remedium, remediī (2n): remedy. Timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread. Stultīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of stultus/stulta/stultum (1/2): stupid. Est: is. (. . . since indeed fear is without remedy for the stupid.)

Sī (conj.): if. Vultis is the second person plural form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want; be willing. Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun, here accusative): nothing. Timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Cōgitāte is the plural imperative form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think, consider. Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Esse: to be. Metuenda is the neuter accusative plural form of metuendus/metuenda/metuendum (1/2), the gerundive (to be feared) of metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear. (If you want to fear nothing, think all things to be to be feared—i.e., that all things are to be feared.)

Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun): nothing. Tamen (adv.) nevertheless, yet, still. Aequē (adv.): equally, as (much). Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to you/for you). Prōfuerit is the third person singular future perfect form of prōsum, prōdesse, prōfuī, prōfutūrus (irreg.): to be useful. Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Temperantiam is the accusative singular form of temperantia, temperantiae (1f): moderation, self-control. Omnium is the m/f/n genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. (Yet nothing will have been as useful to you toward moderation of all things. . .)

Quam (rel. adv.): as; than. Frequēns, frequentis (3, adj.): crowded; frequent. Cōgitātiō, cōgitātiōnis (3f): thinking, thought, reasoning; plan. Brevis is the m/f/n genitive singular form of brevis/brevis/breve (3): short, brief. Aevum, aevī (2n): time; lifetime, lifespan. Et (conj.): and. Huius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he she, it. Incertī is the m/n genitive singular form of incertus/incerta/incertum (1/2): uncertain, doubtful. Et huius incertī = and uncertain to boot; literally, and this uncertain. (. . . as the frequent thought of brief life, and this uncertain.)

Quidquid is the neuter accusative singular form of quisquis/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quicquid): whoever, whatever. Faciēs is the second person singular future form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Respice is the singular imperative form of respiciō, respicere, respexī, respectum (3, –iō): to look back (at); look to; consider. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. (Whatever you are doing, look to death.)

Sīc (adv.): thus, so, in such manner. Itaque (adv.): and so, therefore, then. Fōrmēmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of fōrmō, fōrmāre, fōrmāvī, fōrmātum (1): to shape, form (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Animum is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul. (Therefore let us so form the mind. . .)

Tamquam (conj.): as if (with a subjunctive verb). Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Extrēma is the neuter accusative plural form of extrēmus/extrēma/extrēmum (1/2): situated at the end, last; extreme. Ventum sit is the third person neuter singular perfect passive subjunctive form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. When a verb is intransitive (such as veniō; i.e., it takes no object), its passive forms can only exist in the third person neuter singular with an impersonal meaning: here literally, it were come —i.e., one had come. (. . . as if it were come—as if one had come—to the last things.)

Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun, here accusative): nothing. Differāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of differō, differre, distulī, dīlātum (3, irreg.): to defer, put off, postpone; differ (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). (Let us postpone nothing.)

Cōtīdiē (adv. —also cottīdiē): daily, every day. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Vītā is the ablative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Paria is the neuter accusative plural form of pār, paris (3, adj.): even, equal; like. Faciāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Paria facere is an idiom: to settle an account (or accounts). (Let us make equal things—i.e., let us settle accounts—with life every day.)

Quisquis/ quicquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quidquid): whoever, whatever. Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Fortūnā is the ablative singular form of fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck; fate. (Fortūnā is the ablative of agent with a verb in the passive voice.) Datum est is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. (Whatever has been given by fortune. . .)

Tamquam (conj.): as if. Exēmptō is the m/n ablative singular form of exēmptus/exēmpta/exēmptum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (removed, released) of eximō, eximere, exēmī, exēmptum (3): to remove, extract; free, release; exempt. Auctōre is the ablative singular form of auctor, auctōris (3m/f): creator; author; supporter; initiator; agent; vendor; guarantor. Exēmptō auctōre is an ablative absolute: with the guarantor having been released. Possideās is the second person singular subjunctive form of possideō, possidēre, possēdī, possessum (2): to own, possess (subjunctive because it’s a kind of command—a generally applicable piece of advice). (. . . you should possess as if with the guarantor released.)

Rapite is the plural imperative form of rapiō, rapere, rapuī, raptum (3, –iō): to carry off, snatch away. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Līberīs is the ablative form of līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children (in relation to their parents), sons and daughters. Voluptātēs is the accusative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight. (Snatch the pleasures from (your) children. . .)

Fruendōs is the masculine accusative plural form of fruendus/fruenda/fruendum (1/2), the gerundive (to be enjoyed) of fruor, fruī, frūctus sum (3, deponent): to enjoy. Vōs is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.) (used reflexively: yourselves). In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Vicem is the accusative singular form of —, vicis (3f): change, turn (in vicem = in turn; although we say in turn rather than into turn, vicem is accusative because the expression implies a figurative motion toward a goal). Līberīs is the dative form of līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children. Date is the plural imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. (. . . give yourselves in turn to (your) children to be enjoyed. . .)

Et (conj.): and. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Dīlātiōne is the ablative singular form of dīlātiō, dīlātiōnis (3f): delay. Omne is the neuter accusative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Gaudium is the accusative singular form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Haurīte is the plural imperative form of hauriō, haurīre, hausī, haustum (4): to draw (liquid); drain, drink up, consume. (. . . and drink up all joy without delay.)

Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun): nothing. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Hodiernā is the feminine ablative singular form of hodiernus/hodierna/hodiernum (1/2): of this day, today’s. Nocte is the ablative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Prōmittitur is the third person singular passive form of prōmittō, prōmittere, prōmīsī, prōmissum (3): to send forth; promise. (Nothing is promised about today’s night. . .)

Nimis (adv.): too (much), excessively. Magnam is the feminine accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large; important. Advocātiōnem is the accusative singular form of advocātiō, advocātiōnis (3f): duties of an advocate; postponement, delay, respite, adjournment; time given to seek legal assistance. Dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; grant, concede. (I have granted too great a respite. . .). Nihil (indeclinable neuter noun): nothing. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning. Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Hōrā is the ablative singular form of hōra, hōrae (1f): hour, time. (. . . nothing about this hour.)

Festīnandus/festīnanda/ festīnandum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be hurried) of festīnō, festīnāre, festīnāvī, festīnātum (1): to make haste, hurry. Est: it is (festīnandum est is an impersonal passive periphrastic construction: it must be hurried—i.e., one must hurry, we must hurry). Īnstātur is the third person singular passive form of īnstō, īnstāre, īnstitī, īnstātūrus (1): to stand on; press upon; pursue; insist; draw nigh, threaten (impersonal passive). Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Tergō is the ablative singular form of tergum, tergī (2n): back. (One must hurry, there is pursuit from the back/from behind!)