Katoptron

[ΦΑΙΔΡΑ]

Μόνον δὲ τοῦτο φασ’ ἁμιλλᾶσθαι βίῳ,
γνώμην δικαίαν κἀγαθὴν ὅτῳ παρῇ.
κακοὺς δὲ θνητῶν ἐξέφην’ ὅταν τύχῃ,
προθεὶς κάτοπτρον ὥστε παρθένῳ νέᾳ,
χρόνος· παρ’ οἷσι μήποτ’ ὀφθείην ἐγώ.

[PHAEDRA]

One thing only, they say, competes in value with life, the possession of a heart blameless and good. But as for the base among mortals, they are exposed, late or soon, by Time, who holds up to them, as to a young girl, a mirror. In their number may I never be found! (tr. David Kovacs)