Hesiod
Hesiod
Hesiodwas a Greek poet generally thought by scholars to have been active between 750 and 650 BC, around the same time as Homer. He is generally regarded as the first written poet in the Western tradition to regard himself as an individual persona with an active role to play in his subject. Ancient authors credited Hesiod and Homer with establishing Greek religious customs. Modern scholars refer to him as a major source on Greek mythology, farming techniques, early economic thought,...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPoet
wise boys youth-of-today
I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words. When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise and impatient of restraint.
barns deceiving flattering
Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.
half fool knows
They are fools who do not know how much the half exceeds the whole.
wise wisdom men
Far best is he who is himself all-wise, and he, too, good who listens to wise words; But whoso is not wise or lays to hear another's wisdom is a useless man.
ships profit admire
Admire a small ship, but put your freight in a large one; for the larger the load, the greater will be the profit upon profit.
trust deceiver trusted
Whoever has trusted a woman has trusted deceivers.
sports lying sweat
Badness you can get easily, in quantity. The road is smooth and lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to do it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard.
brother sibling brother-sister
Never make a companion equal to a brother.
wise men night
Of themselves diseases come upon men continually by day and by night, bringing mischief to mortals silently; for wise Zeus took away speech from them. So is there no way to escape the will of Zeus
mind zeus tricks
It is not possible either to trick or escape the mind of Zeus.
prayer advice youth
Actions from youth, advice from the middle-aged, prayers from the aged.
unproductive
No day is wholly unproductive of good.
literature grows mortals
Mortals grow swiftly in misfortune.
half fool knows
Fools, they do not even know how much more is the half than the whole.