Maxims of Theognis: So thou hast come, Clearistus

So thou hast come, Clearistus, after having accomplished passage across the deep sea, hither, wretched man, a beggar to a beggar. Under the ship’s sides, truly, we will place benches, Clearistus, such as we have, and as the gods give us: and we will supply the best of what we have: but should any one come, being a friend of thine, say to him, “Sit-at-meat, an thou lovest me.” I will neither set apart aught of my substance, nor, for the sake of entertaining thee, will we bring aught more from other quarters. Then should any inquire my means of subsistence, thus tell him, that I dive with difficulty as regards living well, but very well for one living with difficulty: so as not to fail even one guest of my father’s, though I am not able to afford feasts to more men.