1. Is some one preferred before thee at a feast, or in salutation, or in being invited to give counsel? Then, if these things are good, it behooves thee rejoice that he hath gained them; but if evil, be not vexed that thou hast not gained them; but remember that if thou act not as other men to gain the things that are not in our own power, neither canst thou be held worthy of a like reward with them.
1. Is someone given priority over you at a feast, in greetings, or when asked for advice? If these things are good, you should be glad that he has received them. If they are bad, do not be upset that you have not received them. But remember this. If you do not act as others do to gain things beyond our control, you cannot deserve the same rewards.
2. For how is it possible for him who will not hang about other men’s doors to have a like reward with him who doth so? or him who will not attend on them with him who doth attend? or him who will not flatter them with the flatterer? Thou art unjust, then, and insatiable, if thou desire to gain those things for nothing, without paying the price for which they are sold.
2. How can someone who refuses to wait at other people’s doors expect the same reward as someone who does? How can someone who refuses to serve them expect the same reward as someone who does? Or someone who refuses to flatter them expect the same reward as a flatterer? You are unjust and greedy if you want these things for nothing, without paying the price they sell for.
3. But how much is a lettuce sold for? A penny, perchance. If any one, then, will spend a penny, he shall have lettuce; but thou, not spending, shalt not have. But think not thou art worse off than he; for as he has the lettuce, so thou the penny which thou wouldst not give.
3. But how much does a lettuce cost? A penny, perhaps. If someone spends a penny, he will have the lettuce. But if you don't spend it, you won't. Yet don't think you are worse off than he is. He has the lettuce, and you have the penny you chose not to spend.
4. And likewise in this matter. Thou art not invited to some man’s feast? That is, for thou gavest not to the host the price of the supper; and it is sold for flattery, it is sold for attendance. Pay, then, the price, if it will profit thee, for which the thing is sold. But if thou wilt not give the price, and wilt have the thing, greedy art thou and infatuated.
4. The same applies here. Were you not invited to someone’s feast? That is because you did not pay the host the price of the supper. It is sold for flattery and for attending to the host. Pay the price, then, if it will benefit you. But if you refuse to pay and still want the supper, you are greedy and foolish.
5. Shalt thou have nothing, then, instead of the supper? Thou shalt have this—not to have praised one whom thou hadst no mind to praise, and not to have endured the insolence of his door-keepers.
5. Will you get nothing, then, in place of the supper? You will get this. You won’t have praised someone you had no wish to praise. And you won’t have put up with the rudeness of his doorkeepers.