Homer

Iliad and Odyssey

Ancient influential 175 sayings

Sayings by Homer

Beauty, terrible beauty! A deathless goddess — so she strikes our eyes!

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad, describing Helen
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Doesn't the son of Tydeus know, down deep, the man who fights the gods does not live long?

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad, spoken by Athena
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Even his griefs are a joy long after to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

After the event, even a fool is wise.

c. 8th Century BCE — General wisdom, attributed to Homer
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be loved, you have to be nice to people, everyday. But to be hated, you don't have to do squat!

c. 8th Century BCE — General wisdom, attributed to Homer
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Because they're stupid, that's why. That's why everybody does everything.

c. 8th Century BCE — General wisdom, attributed to Homer
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The stars never lie, but the astrologers lie about the stars.

c. 8th Century BCE — General wisdom, attributed to Homer
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Better to live or die, once and for all, than die by inches.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad, spoken by Achilles
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Would that I were still young and strong as I was in those days, for then some one of you swineherds would give me a cloak both out of good will and for the respect due to a brave soldier; but now people look down upon me because my clothes are shabby.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey, spoken by Odysseus in disguise
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And overpowered by memory both men gave way to grief. Priam wept freely for man - killing Hector, throbbing, crouching before Achilles' feet as Achilles wept himself, now for his father, now for Patroclus once again and their sobbing rose and fell throughout the house.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My every impulse bends to what is right. Not iron, trust me, the heart with my breast. I am all compassion.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey, spoken by Odysseus
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There is nothing worse for mortals than a wandering life.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

But death is universal. Even gods cannot protect the people that they love, when fate and cruel death catch up with them.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Suffering is but another name for the teaching of experience, which is the parent of instruction and the schoolmaster of life.

c. 8th Century BCE — General wisdom, attributed to Homer
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Nothing feebler than a man does the earth raise up, of all the things which breathe and move on the earth, for he believes that he will never suffer evil in the future, as long as the gods give him success and he flourishes in his strength; but when the blessed gods bring sorrows too to pass, even these he bears, against his will, with steadfast spirit, for the thoughts of earthly men are like the day which the father of gods and men brings upon them.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Odyssey
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Uncontrollable laughter arose among the blessed gods.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad, describing the gods on Olympus
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I wish that strife would vanish away from among gods and mortals, and gall, which makes a man grow angry for all his great mind, that gall of anger that swarms like smoke inside of a man's heart and becomes a thing sweeter to him by far than the dripping of honey.

c. 8th Century BCE — The Iliad, spoken by Achilles
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable