Let Ithaka be always in your thoughts.
To get there is your goal and destiny.
But do not hasten to your journey’s end:
it’s better if it lasts for many years
so that you'll reach the island when you’re old,
wealthy with all you’ve gained along the way,
not hoping Ithaka will make you rich.
Your marvellous journey is Ithaka’s gift.
Without her you would not have started out.
But she has nothing more to give you now.
And if you find she's poor, you’ve not been fooled.
So wise have you become, so much you’ve learned,
that you will know what Ithakas must be.
Source: Seen in passing on X-Twitter. Holler if you want the whole thing.
Author/Translator: Armand D'Angour, Professor of Classics, Oxford. Cello lover. Larkin about. Turning life into Latin verse, one hexameter at a time. Podcast “It’s All Greek (& Latin!) to Me”.
Posted: Feb 06
Ach, lassie…what is the meaning of the sign “changed priorities ahead?” It reminds me of the only time we were ever in Edinburgh. Coming away from the Edinburgh Castle, I asked a parking attendant, who was removing money from street meters, how to get to St. Andrews. Even though he repeated it twice, I still didn’t understand what he said except that it had something to do with crossing the Firth of Forth, and I knew that before I asked.
Tom – Yes, you’d think if we all spoke English it would be OK. I wonder if they find us as tricky to understand as we do them. I believe that “changed priorities ahead” means that they have lanes that switch direction depending on the time of day, the better to accommodate rush-hour traffic. Of course, it could be just a comment on life in general . . .
Got a chuckle out of the Inuvik sign – I’ve lived in a few towns in my life for which that sign would be quite appropriate.
Alison – I expect there are quite a few towns that could use such a sign, but maybe most aren’t up to admitting it.
Isabel
I consulted with a friend who emigrated from Edinburgh and still has a flat there. Here’s his reply as to the sign’s meaning.
“I haven’t seen it, but I think it indicates that the right of way has changed at a round about or such. I don’t think they announce alteration to government policy this way, although maybe more people would notice if they did!!â€
Tom – Actually, that makes better sense. Good job! It’s like Red Green says – We’re all in this together.