Herodas, Mimiambs 2.9

A brothel-keeper alludes to a proverbial expression.

καὶ ζ]ῶμεν οὐχ ὡς βουλόμεσθ’ ἀλλ’ ὡς ἡμέας
ὁ και]ρὸς ἕλκει.

[And we] live not as we want, but as [the mome]nt draws us along.

Compare Menander (fr. 47):

ζῶμεν γὰρ οὐχ ὡς θέλομεν, ἀλλ’ ὡς δυνάμεθα.

For we live not as we want, but as we are able.