Explore Quotes by Homer

...if fifty bands of men surrounded us/ and every sword sang for your blood,/ you could make off still with their cows and sheep.

Rage - Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters' souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds, and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end. Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed, Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.

Young men's minds are always changeable, but when an old man is concerned in a matter, he looks both before and after.

All men owe honor to the poets - honor and awe; for they are dearest to the Muse who puts upon their lips the ways of life.

Tell me, O muse, of travellers far and wide

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

Immortals are never alien to one another.

Sing, O muse, of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.

Come, Friend, you too must die. Why moan about it so? Even Patroclus died, a far, far better man than you. And look, you see how handsome and powerful I am? The son of a great man, the mother who gave me life-- A deathless goddess. But even for me, I tell you, Death and the strong force of fate are waiting. There will come a dawn or sunset or high noon When a man will take my life in battle too-- flinging a spear perhaps Or whipping a deadly arrow off his bow.

Why cover the same ground again? ... It goes against my grain to repeat a tale told once, and told so clearly.

Each man delights in the work that suits him best.

I didn't lie! I just created fiction with my mouth!

So, the gods don't hand out all their gifts at once, not build and brains and flowing speech to all. One man may fail to impress us with his looks but a god can crown his words with beauty, charm, and men look on with delight when he speaks out. Never faltering, filled with winning self-control, he shines forth at assembly grounds and people gaze at him like a god when he walks through the streets. Another man may look like a deathless one on high but there's not a bit of grace to crown his words. Just like you, my fine, handsome friend.

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

A small rock holds back a great wave.

Here, therefore, huge and mighty warrior though you be, here shall you die.

Think not to match yourself against the gods, for men that walk the earth cannot hold their own with the immortals.

Even a fool learns something once it hits him.