“Listen closely. Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man. So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees, he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years. But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times, bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart. Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth, turn as the days turn…as the father of men and gods makes each day dawn.”
From volume IV of the file · Classical · 8th century BC
Themes: suffering
More from Homer
“Far out of the front I’d charge and spear my man, I’d cut down any enemy soldier backing off. Such was I in battle, true, but had no love for working the land, the chores of households either, the labor that raises crops of shining children. No, it was always oarswept ships that thrilled my heart, and wars, and long polished spears and arrows, dreadful gear that makes the next man cringe. I loved them all—God planted that love inside me.”
“What greater glory attends a man, when he’s alive, than what he wins with his racing feet and striving hands?”