Amicus Unus Aptus
Aptus amicus adest unus tibi; parce secundum
Quaerere; vix aeque tertius aptus erit.
Source: François Oudin (1673-1752), Silva Distichorum, 138. Meter: Elegiac. Note the idiomatic use of parce with an infinitive: parce quaerere, "spare to look," i.e. "don't go looking, "refrain from looking."
One friend nearby you (amicus unus adest) is appropriate (aptus); refrain from seeking a second (parce quaerere secundum); a third friend (tertius) will scarcely be (vix erit) appropriate in the same degree (aeque aptus).
The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. All the words in this poem are on that list!
adsum adesse affuī: be present
aequus -a -um: equal; aequē, equally
amīcus -a -um: friendly; (as subst.) friend
aptus -a -um: fit, suitable
parcō parcere pepercī: spare, be sparing of (+ dat.)
quaerō -rere -sīvī-situm: seek, inquire
secundus -a -um: following; favorable
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tertius -a -um: third
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
ūnus -a -um: one
vix: scarcely
(image source - full size poster; poster made with AutoMotivator)
