How to Be Content

A wonderful little compilation of poetry by Classical Roman poet and practical philosopher, Horace (Horatius), rendered in the original Latin as well as in some decent, certainly passable English verse by Stephen Harrison, whose expert commentary is also quite welcome. The choices are arranged by the topics of finding the good life, friendship, love (and lust), and, the final frontier for us all, as Horace reminds us frequently: death. Selections are pulled from the full range of Horace's works, Odes and Epistles featuring most heavily.

I really enjoyed reading this, and if the other editions in the Princeton little hardcovers series of “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers” are of similar quality, I could see myself having a number of them in my personal library. Very recommended as an introduction to the poetry and wisdom of Horace.