Πῆ παρέβην; τί δ’ἔρεξας [=ἔρεξα] ; τί μοι
δέον, οὐκ ἐτελέσθαι [=ἐτελέσθη] ;

Where have I transgressed? What have I committed? What thing incumbent on me has been left undone?

Italicae Samius sectae celeberrimus auctor[1]
Ipse suum clausit carmine dogma brevi.
Quo praetergressus? quid agis? quid omittis agendum?[2]
Hanc rationem urgens reddere quenque sibi.
Quod didicisse gruum volitantum ex agmine fertur,
Arreptum gestant quae pedibus lapidem,[3]
Ne cessent, neu transversas mala flamina raptent.
Qua ratione hominum vita regenda fuit.

The famous Samian founder of the Italian sect himself put his essential teaching into a short verse: Where have you overstepped the mark? What are you doing? What are you leaving undone that ought to be done? - urging each man to make this reckoning in his own mind. He is said to have learnt this from a skein of flying cranes, which seize a stone and carry it in their claws, to prevent themselves from making no headway, and to stop adverse gusts of wind carrying them off course. Man’s life was ever to be lived on this principle.