Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers: Solon 61
Look at this: People say that Mimnermus wrote: [fr. 20 Bergk]
“I wish that my allotted death would come at 60
Without sicknesses or painful worries.”
But [Solon] rebuked him in saying [fr. 42 Bergk]
“If you listened to me already, you’d cut that line.
But don’t get angry that I advise better than you.
Change your wish, Liguastades, and sing this tune
May my allotted death come at eighty.”
ἰδοῦ. φασὶ δ᾿ αὐτὸν καὶ Μιμνέρμου γράψαντος,
αἲ γὰρ ἄτερ νούσων τε καὶ ἀργαλέων μελεδωνέων
ἑξηκονταέτη μοῖρα κίχοι θανάτου,
ἐπιτιμῶντα αὐτῷ εἰπεῖν·
ἀλλ᾿ εἴ μοι κἂν νῦν ἔτι πείσεαι, ἔξελε τοῦτον·
μηδὲ μέγαιρ᾿ ὅτι σεῦ λῷον ἐπεφρασάμην·
καὶ μεταποίησον, Λιγυαστάδη, ὧδε δ᾿ ἄειδε·
ὀγδωκονταέτη μοῖρα κίχοι θανάτου.
