Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem 

What is a poet asking Apollo, 
What is he praying for, raising fresh wine in the Actiaca victory temple? 
Oh, not for the riches of Sardinia. 
He does not want the flocks of Calabriae, not ivory, or grains from the banks of Liris. 
Neither the gold coins. 
Campaniae vines Let to the fortune's lucky farmer's care. 
From the golden vase Syrian rug merchant Drinks now, 
for he must be gods' favorite Crossing the seas thousandfold with no harm. 
I, dear Apollo, take light olive 
Let me be happy with the little I have Love, 
good health and a clear mind that will not fail 
And when old age comes, let it be gentle 
And full of these songs... 

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65 - 8 b.c.e. (translation and interpretation Uki D. Lucas)





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My favorite quotations..


“A man should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”  by Robert A. Heinlein

"We are but habits and memories we chose to carry along." ~ Uki D. Lucas


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