operositas
From LSJ
μή, φίλα ψυχά, βίον ἀθάνατον σπεῦδε, τὰν δ' ἔμπρακτον ἄντλει μαχανάν → Oh! my soul do not aspire to eternal life, but exhaust the limits of the possible. | Do not yearn, O my soul, for immortal life! Use to the utmost the skill that is yours. | Do not, my soul, strive for the life of the immortals, but exhaust the practical means at your disposal.
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
ŏpĕrōsĭtas: ātis, f. operosus,
I excessive pains, overmuch nicety, elaborate workmanship (post-Aug.): est etiam, quae περιεργία> vocatur, supervacua, ut sic dixerim, operositas, Quint. 8, 3, 55: operositas suadendi, Tert. Anim. 2 fin.: vitreorum, Vop. Tac. 11.
