There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.
By Jove the stranger and the poor are sent, and what to those we give, to Jove is lent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the transient nature of generosity towards others, suggesting that giving to those in need is ultimately a service to the divine.
Homer's quote reflects on the idea that when we help the less fortunate, we are not merely engaging in a charitable act; rather, we are fulfilling a moral obligation that connects us to a higher power. The essence of giving is framed as a loan to the divine, reminding us that our resources are not truly ours but belong to a greater cause. It invokes the notion that aiding strangers and the needy is an essential part of human existence and spirituality.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a charity event, one could say, 'As Homer reminds us, giving to those in need is a sacred act, and by Jove, it is lent back to us in spirit.'
More from Homer
All quotes βFor Fate has wove the thread of life with pain,_x000D_ _x000D_ And twins ev'n from the birth are Misery and Man!
Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this.
Sing, O muse, of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
[I]t is the wine that leads me on, the wild wine that sets the wisest man to sing at the top of his lungs, laugh like a fool β it drives the man to dancing... it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told.
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And once you are awake, you shall remain awake eternally.