I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
EuripidesRead
Fortune always will confer an aura of worth, unworthily; and in this world The lucky person passes for a genius.
Interpretation
We often mistake luck for talent, and those who are fortunate are perceived as more capable than they may actually be.
Euripides highlights the tendency of society to equate fortune with merit. This observation reflects on how individuals who achieve success through luck are often mistaken for geniuses, indicating a flawed understanding of worth and skill in the context of achievement.
In practice
During a motivational speech about success, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of recognizing the role of luck.
I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
Mankind . . . possesses two supreme blessings. First of these is the goddess Demeter, or Earth whichever name you choose to call her by. It was she who gave to man his nourishment of grain. But after her there came the son of Semele, who matched her present by inventing liquid wine as his gift to man. For filled with that good gift, suffering mankind forgets its grief; from it comes sleep; with it oblivion of the troubles of the day. There is no other medicine for misery.
Money is far more persuasive than logical arguments.
Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
Who then will dare to say I'm weak or timid? No, they'll say I'm loyal as a friend, ruthless as a foe, so much like a hero destined for glory.
Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
The mark of a master is to select only a few moments, but give us a lifetime.
Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.
There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. The criterion is: Have they brought you inner peace?
On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves.
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