Social Commentaries
Book I, Epigram 8 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
In that you follow the maxims of great Thrasea and of Cato the perfect, and yet are willing to live, and rush not with unarmed breast upon drawn swords, you do, Decianus, what I would have you do. No hero to me is the man who, by easy shedding of his blood, purchases his fame; my hero is he who, without death, can win praise.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book I, Epigram 8 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/344/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book I, Epigram 8 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/344/.
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