There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.
[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 – it drives the man to dancing... it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the liberating power of wine, suggesting it evokes joy and uninhibited expression.
In this quote, Homer illustrates how wine has a unique ability to foster a carefree spirit, encouraging even the most reserved individuals to express themselves openly and joyously. It highlights the contrast between wisdom and folly, showing that in the revelry induced by wine, even a wise person can find themselves singing, laughing, and sharing secrets, emphasizing the profound effects of intoxication on human behavior and the transient nature of wisdom when faced with pleasure.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared at a gathering to celebrate the joy of friendship and togetherness.
More from Homer
All quotes →For 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.
Come, weave us a scheme so I can pay them back! Stand beside me, Athena, fire me with daring, fierce as the day we ripped Troy's glittering crown of towers down. Stand by me - furious now as then, my bright-eyed one - and I would fight three hundred men, great goddess, with you to brace me, comrade-in-arms in battle!
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