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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Achilles absent was Achilles still!
—Homer
Topics: Absence

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

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

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

There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
—Homer

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

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

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

It is not right to glory in the slain.
—Homer

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

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

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

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

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Inspirational Quotes by Homer (Ancient Greek Poet)

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