It is sweet to let the mind unbend on occasion.

The line praises deliberate relaxation as a necessary counterweight to strain and seriousness. “Unbend” treats the mind like a bow kept perpetually taut: constant tension risks damage, while occasional slack restores resilience. In Horatian terms, the sentiment aligns with his recurring advocacy of measure, balance, and humane self-management—enjoyment and rest are not indulgences but part of living wisely. The sweetness lies in permission: stepping back from duty, ambition, or worry can renew judgment and make one better able to return to work, friendship, and public life with steadier temper and clearer perspective.