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[p. 505] But the following verse of Homer he has not indeed equalled, nor approached. For that of Homer 1 seems to be simpler and more natural, that of Virgil 2 more modern and daubed over with a kind of stucco, 3 as it were:

Homer:
A bull to Alpheus, to Poseidon one.

Virgil:
A bull to Neptune, and to you, Apollo fair.


XXVIII

[28arg] Of an opinion of the philosopher Panaetius, which he expressed in his second book On Duties, where he urges men to be alert and prepared to guard against injuries on all occasions.


THE second book of the philosopher Panaetius On Duties was being read to us, being one of those three celebrated books which Marcus Tullius emulated with great care and very great labour. In it there was written, in addition to many other incentives to virtue, one especially which ought to be kept fixed in the mind. And it is to this general purport: 4 “The life of men,” he says, “who pass their time in the midst of affairs, and who wish to be helpful to themselves and to others, is exposed to constant and almost daily troubles and sudden dangers. To guard against and avoid these one needs a mind that is always ready and alert, such as the athletes have who are called 'pancratists.' For just as they, when called to the contest, stand with their arms raised and stretched out, and protect their head and face by opposing their hands as a rampart; and as all their limbs, before the battle ”

1 Iliad xi. 728.

2 Aen. iii. 119.

3 Referring to the otiose epithet pulcher, which is “gilding the lily.”

4 Fr. 8, Fowler.

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