
Subitae divitiae obliviosae.
Sudden riches bring forgetfulness.
Cłm nos divitiae erigunt superbae,
Et fortuna beat vel otiosos,
Obliviscimur impii Deorum,
Nec sors auiuvat indigos sodales.[1]
Arae thure vacant, foco & decenti,
Nec ventura animus videre caecus
Dignatur, tumidi aut maris procellas.
Securi nimium sed in profundam
Labuntur foveam, gravesque poenas.
Si fortuna igitur fovet secunda,
Illam discito temperare mente,
Ut prorsus dubiam, & rota volucrem:
Sic posthac leviłs feres novercam.
When we are raised up by proud wealth and fortune makes us happy, even though we’re lazy, we, impious, forget the gods, nor does fortune help our impoverished fellow men. The altars are empty of incense and the cheery fire; and the blind soul does not wish to see what is to come, nor the storms burgeoning out to sea. They are safe, too safe, but forthwith slide into a deep pit and grave punishments. If, therefore, fortune and success watch over you, learn to temper her with a cool head, for she is flighty and flies on a wheel, so you will henceforth bear her more easily whenever she turns against you [lit. when she is a step-mother].
1. A sodalis is a chum, a mate, a drinking-buddy.
Related Emblems
Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- adult man (+ two persons) [31D14(+72)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- altar ~ non-Christian religions [12B62] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm or hand held in front of the body - AA - both arms or hands (+ holding something) [31AA2516(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward (+ holding something) [31A2512(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward (+ indicating, pointing at) [31A2512(+931)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- beggar [46A151] Search | Browse Iconclass
- boy (child between toddler and youth) (+ nude human being) [31D11221(+89)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- carrying something on the head or on the shoulders [46C1215] Search | Browse Iconclass
- city-walls [25I146] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clouds [26A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- fruits (+ ornamental variants of plants) [25G21(+15)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- groups of plants (herbs) [25G13] Search | Browse Iconclass
- hand on the hip [31A2518] Search | Browse Iconclass
- index finger and middle finger raised, closed [31A25561] Search | Browse Iconclass
- looking upwards [31B6211] Search | Browse Iconclass
- one leg in front of the other (+ standing) [31A2621(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ornament ~ festoon, garland [48A9875] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Plutus (god of wealth), son of Ceres and Iasion (+ variant) [92M191(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- purse, money-bag [41D267] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sitting on the ground [31A2351] Search | Browse Iconclass
- standing, leaning, sitting or lying with legs apart (+ standing) [31A26114(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the rich [46A16] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- acquiring riches [46A1610] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Acquisition, Gain, Profit (+ emblematical representation of concept) [55A1(+4):51M1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Forgetfulness (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52AA3 (+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Good and Bad Behaviour, Moral Qualities (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57A(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Impiety; 'Impietą' (Ripa) [11N43] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Menace, Intimidation; 'Minaccie' (Ripa) [53C22] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Selfishness; 'Interesse', 'Interesse proprio' (Ripa) [57AA65] Search | Browse Iconclass
- storm [26C3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Temperance, Moderation; 'Misura' (Ripa) [54A43] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Turn of Fate, Wheel of Fortune [54F121] Search | Browse Iconclass
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