Momus was asked to judge the labors of other gods. Momus was jealous and so criticized the work of each. Jupiter saw through this and expelled him.
Judge honestly or not at all.
Townsend version
According to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Jupiter, the first bull by Neptune, and the first house by Minerva. On the completion of their labors, a dispute arose as to which had made the most perfect work. They agreed to appoint Momus as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momus, however, being very envious of the handicraft of each, found fault with all. He first blamed the work of Neptune because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike. He then condemned the work of Jupiter, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside, that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take precautions against the intended mischief. And, lastly, he inveighed against Minerva because she had not contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if a neighbor proved unpleasant. Jupiter, indignant at such inveterate faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from the mansions of Olympus.
[Note: Momus, in Greek mythology is the personification of satire, mockery, censure; a god of writers and poets; a spirit of evil-spirited blame and unfair criticism. (Wikipedia)]
Momus Iudex
Iovem Neptunumque et tertiam insuper Minervam contendisse ferunt inter se quis pulchram aliquam rem faceret. Facit Iuppiter animal pulcherrimum, hominem; Pallas hominibus domum; Neptunus taurum. Iudicem sibi Momum elegerunt (adhuc enim inter Deos habitabat) qui, prae nativa indole cunctos odio prosequens, principio statim taurum culpavit quod oculis inferiora non gestaret cornua – ita enim recte cernens iceret; hominem, quod pectus illi non esset valvis instructum et adapertile ut proximum inspiceret quid agat consilii; domum, quod ferreae fundamentis non subiicerentur rotae, aliis idoneae locis permutandis, cum domini abirent peregre.
Moral
Tenta facere aliquid, nec iudex sedeat invidia; Momo nil omnino placitum est.
Perry #100
