Caligula once fitted out a fleet at great expense, as if to
conquer Greece or to accomplish some other great undertaking,
but the ships returned laden with pebbles and cockleshells, only
to receive the scorn of all.
So many a life that is well equipped and has glorious opportunities
flattens out into insipid nothingness.
(1017)
See DEFEAT; NEGLECT; SUCCESS IN
FAILURE; SORROW FOR A LOST CAUSE.