I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
The lucky person passes for a genius.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Luck can often make a person seem more capable than they actually are.
This quote by Euripides suggests that luck has a significant role in determining how people are perceived in their abilities. When a person benefits from fortunate circumstances, they may be regarded as a genius or exceptional, regardless of their actual skill or talent. This highlights the interplay between chance and merit in life, reminding us that appearances can be deceiving and that success is not always purely a result of individual effort or intelligence.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about innovation, one might use this quote to emphasize how sometimes success comes from being in the right place at the right time.
More from Euripides
All quotes βMankind . . . 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.
Similar quotes
Oh, to have βthe word of Christβ always dwelling inside of us;-in the memory, never forgotten; in the heart, always loved; in the understanding, really grasped; with all the powers and passions of the mind fully submitted to its control!
Our blossoms of passion, gay and luxuriant flowers, are bright and full of fragrance, but they beguile us and lead us astray, and their odor is deadly.
He has existed only, not lived, who lacks wisdom in old age.
To a clear eye the smallest fact is a window through which the infinite may be seen.
Now all of a sudden I'm so less interested in pretending to be a lot of other people, and much more interested in being me.
Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.