We should live, my Lesbia, and loveAnd value all the talk of stricterOld men at a single penny.Suns can set and rise again;For us, once our brief light has set,There's one unending night for sleeping.Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred,Then another thousand, then a second hundred,Then still another thousand, then a hundred;Then, when we've made many thousands,We'll muddle them so as not to knowOr lest some villain overlook usKnowing the total of our kisses.(Translated by Guy Lee)

Summary

This quote from Catullus' poem encourages living life to the fullest and not being swayed by the opinions of older, more conservative individuals. It suggests that instead of worrying about the limitations imposed by old age, we should focus on embracing love and cherishing every moment. The speaker emphasizes the value of experiencing a multitude of passionate kisses with their beloved, suggesting that counting or keeping track is unnecessary, and that the pure joy of love should be the priority, rather than being concerned with others' judgment or the passage of time.

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