Book I, Epigram 85 (Ker)

When a humorous auctioneer was selling a well-cultivated hill-estate, and some beautiful acres of land near the town, he said: "He is wrong who thinks that Marius need sell; he owes nothing, but lends money rather." "What is the reason, then?" "He has lost there all his slaves, and his flocks, and his crops; hence he does not like the place." Who would make a bid but a man who was willing to lose all his possessions? So his injurious land sticks to Marius.