Homer

Iliad and Odyssey

Ancient influential 175 sayings

Sayings by Homer

We are all puppets of fate.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 6
Humorous Unverifiable

He knew a good many tricks, but she knew more.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 10 (referring to Circe)
Humorous Unverifiable

The gods have woven threads of death for all men.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 24
Humorous Unverifiable

It is not for us to judge.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 22
Humorous Unverifiable

Few sons are like their father, most are worse, a very few are better than their father.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 2
Humorous Confirmed

Even a stranger, if he be in distress, deserves our help.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 14
Humorous Unverifiable

The will of Jove is always done.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 1
Humorous Unverifiable

Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

c. 8th century BCE — Attributed, often linked to Homeric themes of heroism but not a direct quote from the epics.
Humorous Unverifiable

I will not stir from this spot, but will wait for you to take my offer.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 8 (said by Odysseus)
Humorous Unverifiable

For there is no more oppressive trouble for a man than a wandering life.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 15
Humorous Unverifiable

The father is a fool who makes his son a king.

c. 8th century BCE — Attributed, but precise source within Homeric works is debated/difficult to pinpoint definitively as…
Humorous Unverifiable

It is an ill thing to be a slave.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 14
Humorous Unverifiable

As the generations of leaves, so are those of men.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 6
Humorous Unverifiable

The gods have sent me on a long and difficult journey.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 5
Humorous Unverifiable

A man's life is but a moment in endless time.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 21
Humorous Unverifiable

The young men were eager for battle, but the old men were wise.

c. 8th century BCE — The Iliad, Book 3
Humorous Unverifiable

It is not seemly for a man who is a guest to ask too many questions.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 7
Humorous Unverifiable

The gods are not mocked.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 13
Humorous Unverifiable

Wine can of their wits the wise beguile, Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile.

c. 8th century BCE (translated 18th century) — The Odyssey, Book 14 (Pope's translation)
Humorous Unverifiable

And it is not a good thing to be a guest in a strange land, for a man may be a burden to his host.

c. 8th century BCE — The Odyssey, Book 15
Humorous Unverifiable