Petronius (PLM B XXVI)

Nam nihil est, quod non mortalibus afferat usum:
rebus in adversis quae iacuere iuvant.
Sic rate demersa fulvum deponderat aurum,
remorum levitas naufraga membra vehit.
Cum sonuere tubae, iugulo stat divite ferum
barbaricum? tenuis praebia pannus habet.

For there is nothing
that may not serve
the need of mortals,
and in adversity
despised things help us.
So when a ship goes under
bright gold is sure to sink,
while a flimsy oar bears up
the shipwrecked body.
When the trumpets sound,
the savage's knife stands drawn
at the rich man's throat,
and the poor man's rags
offer a talisman of safety.