Inspirational Quotes by Homer (Ancient Greek Poet)

Inspirational Quotations 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 (contemporary 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

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

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

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

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

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

Achilles absent was Achilles still!
—Homer
Topics: Absence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe.
—Homer
Topics: Understanding

Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.
—Homer

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

Fate is the same for the man who holds back, the same if he fights hard. We are all held in a single honor, the brave with the weaklings. A man dies still if he has done nothing, as the one who has done much.
—Homer

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

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

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

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

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

Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.
—Homer
Topics: Adversity

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

For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few are better than their fathers.
—Homer
Topics: Father, Parents

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

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

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

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

A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.
—Homer
Topics: Friends, Family, Brothers, Friendship

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

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

But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.
—Homer
Topics: Argument

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

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

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

The persuasion of a friend is a strong thing.
—Homer
Topics: Persuasion

All strangers and beggars are from God, and a gift, though small, is precious.
—Homer

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

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