Inspirational Quotes by Homer (Ancient Greek Poet)

Homer (c.750–c.650 BCE) is the name given to the fabled author of the Iliad and Odyssey, the two major epic poems that have survived from Ancient Greece. These two poems are essential to Western literature and culture.

Homer’s literary achievement is clouded in academic controversy. Although Homer is depicted conventionally as a blind and bearded man, nothing is known of Homer as a person. Some scholars have even denied his existence. There is not even concurrence on whether a single poet created both the epics.

The Iliad and the Odyssey seem to have been compiled at some time between 750 and 650 BCE, likely derived from older material handed down vocally by singer-poets. Homer’s achievements are therefore considered oral creations, not literary ones. In other words, Homer made his poems in performance, borrowing and adapting stories, ideas, and phrases from the oral tradition of a preliterate culture.

Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, a renowned authority on Ancient Greece and its literature, suggested that the Iliad was the work of ‘Homer,’ an 8th century BCE poet from Ionia, south of Troy in Asia Minor (today’s Turkey.) He combined and remodeled earlier poems, and his work was, in turn, enlarged and remodeled by others. The Odyssey is commonly believed to consist of a substantial core poem with some later addendums.

The Iliad describes the events preceding the Trojan War—the fatal and pivotal combat between Achilles, the Greeks’ greatest warrior, and the Trojan champion Hector in a battle that ensures Troy’s fall. The Odyssey portrays the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus as he returns home after the fall of Troy.

Alexander Pope and E. V. Rieu produced the popular 18th- and 20th-century translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Homer

Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
—Homer
Topics: Sleep

It is a wise child that knows his own father
—Homer
Topics: Father

Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer
Topics: Speaking, Speakers

How prone to doubt, how cautious are the wise.
—Homer
Topics: Wisdom

A decent boldness ever meets with friends.
—Homer
Topics: Boldness, Confidence, Courage

Even his griefs are a joy, long after, to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured
—Homer
Topics: Grief

Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.
—Homer
Topics: Deception, Deception/Lying

For too much rest becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Rest, Leisure

By Jove the stranger and the poor are sent, and what to these we give to Jove is lent.
—Homer

In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!
—Homer
Topics: Youth

Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause.
—Homer
Topics: Brave, Patriotism

Life and death are balanced on the edge of a razor.
—Homer
Topics: Death

The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken.
—Homer
Topics: Wine

If yet not lost to all the sense of shame.
—Homer
Topics: Shame

Anger, which, far sweeter than trickling drops of honey, rises in the bosom of a man like smoke.
—Homer
Topics: Anger

Wisdom never lies.
—Homer
Topics: Wisdom

Achilles absent was Achilles still!
—Homer
Topics: Absence

A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.
—Homer

I detest that man, who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks forth another.
—Homer
Topics: Lying, Communication, Lies, Deception/Lying

And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.
—Homer
Topics: Courage, Bravery

In saffron-colored mantle, from the tides of ocean rose the morning to bring light to gods and men.
—Homer
Topics: Morning

And they die an equal death – the idler and the man of mighty deeds.
—Homer
Topics: Death

It is the bold man who every time does best, at home or abroad.
—Homer
Topics: Courage

By mutual confidence and mutual aid – great deeds are done, and great discoveries made
—Homer
Topics: Confidence, Discovery

To him who hearkens to the gods, the gods give ear.
—Homer
Topics: Prayer

The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer
Topics: Service

There is satiety in all things, in sleep, and love-making, in the loveliness of singing and the innocent dance.
—Homer
Topics: Gratitude, Blessings, Appreciation

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.
—Homer
Topics: Marriage

Too much rest itself becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Rest

How vain, without the merit, is the name.
—Homer
Topics: Fame

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Inspirational Quotes by Homer (Ancient Greek Poet)

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