Living
The Joy of Life (Mackail)
Translated by J. W. Mackail (1890) · From Select Epigrams from the Greek Anthology (1890)
Hold every path of life. In the market-place are honours and prudent dealings, in the house rest; in the country the charm of nature, and at sea gain; and abroad, if thou hast aught, glory, and if thou art in poverty, thou alone knowest it. Art married? so will thine household be best; unmarried? thy life is yet lighter. Children are darlings; a childless life is an unanxious one: youth is strong, and grey hairs again reverend. The choice is not then of one of the two, either never to be born or to die; for all things are good in life.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Metrodorus. “The Joy of Life (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/metrodorus/29/.
Chicago
Metrodorus. “The Joy of Life (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/metrodorus/29/.
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