Inspirational Quotations

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

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

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

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

Men grow tired of sleep, love, singing and dancing sooner than of war.
Homer
Topics: Adversity

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

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

Two friends—two bodies with one soul inspired.
Homer
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship

The Grecian ladies counted their age from their marriage, not from their birth.
Homer
Topics: Age

The rule Of the many is not well. One must be chief In war and one the king.
Homer
Topics: Royalty

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

‘Tis man’s to fight, but Heaven’s to give success.
Homer
Topics: Luck, Fortune

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

Two urns on Jove’s high throne have ever stood,
The source of evil one, and one of good;
From thence the cup of mortal man he fills,
Blessings to these, to those distributes ills;
To most he mingles both.
Homer
Topics: Living

Light is the task where many share the toil.
Homer
Topics: Teams, Teamwork, Work, Help

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

For fate has wove the thread of life with pain,
And twins ev’n from the birth are Misery and Man.
Homer
Topics: Adversity

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

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

I live an idle burden to the ground.
Homer
Topics: Idleness

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

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

Thou knowst the oer-eager vehemence of youth,
How quick in temper, and in judgement weak.
Homer

Twins, even from the birth, are misery and man.
Homer
Topics: Misery

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

Reproach is infinite, and knows no end So voluble a weapon is the tongue; Wounded, we wound; and neither side can fail For every man has equal strength to rail.
Homer
Topics: Anger

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

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

No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
Homer
Topics: Destiny

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