Category: 42 Epistula XLII

Saepe maximum pretium est pro quo nullum datur

Saepe maximum pretium est pro quo nullum datur. Multa possum tibi ostendere quae acquisita acceptaque libertatem nobis extorserint; nostri essemus, si ista nostra non essent.

Dažnai už didžiausią kainą nieko negauni. Galiu tau nurodyti daugelį dalykų, kurių pasiekę ar gavę prarastume laisvę: jeigu jie mums nepriklausytų, mes priklausytume patys sau.

Very often the things that cost nothing cost us the most heavily. I can show you many objects the quest and acquisition of which have wrested freedom from our hands. We should belong to ourselves, if only these things did not belong to us.

Gratuita nobis videntur quae carissime constant

Gratuita nobis videntur quae carissime constant. Ex eo licet stupor noster appareat, quod ea sola putamus emi pro quibus pecuniam solvimus, ea gratuita vocamus pro quibus nos ipsos impendimus.

Mums atrodo, kad gauname veltui tai, kas iš tikrųjų kainuoja brangiausiai. Mūsų bukaprotystę rodo toks dalykas: mes manome, jog perkame tik tai, už ką mokame pinigus, o dovanomis vadiname tai, už ką atlyginame savimi.

We regard things as free gifts when they really cost us very dear. Our stupidity may be clearly proved by the fact that we hold that “buying” refers only to the objects for which we pay cash, and we regard as free gifts the things for which we spend our very selves.

Idem faciet cum idem potuerit

Idem faciet cum idem potuerit. Multorum quia imbecilla sunt latent vitia, non minus ausura cum illis vires suae placuerint quam illa quae iam felicitas aperuit. Instrumenta illis explicandae nequitiae desunt.

Jis darytų tą patį, jei tik galėtų. Daugelio žmonių ydos tūno pasislėpusios, nes jos neturi jėgų, bet, įgavusios jų, išdrįstų ne mažiau negu tos, kurioms laimė jau nuplėšė kaukę. Joms stinga priemonių parodyti savo niekingumą.

I retort that he will do the same thing as soon as he acquires the same powers. In the case of many men, their vices, being powerless, escape notice; although, as soon as the persons in question have become satisfied with their own strength, the vices will be no less daring than those which prosperity has already disclosed. These men simply lack the means whereby they may unfold their wickedness.