Hesiod Quotes
Hesiod was an ancient Greek poet, roughly contemporary with Homer, whose works on farming, mythology, and daily life offer a ground-level view of early Greek thought. His writing is practical and direct, concerned with work, justice, and the realities of getting by.
These quotes are useful for classics courses, essays on work ethic, literary discussions, or social media posts with a philosophical edge. Browse the collection below.
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“Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.”
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“It is not possible either to trick or escape the mind of Zeus.”
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“Whoever has trusted a woman has trusted deceivers.”
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“Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.”
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“For a man wins nothing better than a good wife, and then again nothing deadlier than a bad one.”
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“If you add a little to a little, and then do it again, soon that little shall be much.”
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“Badness you can get easily, in quantity; the road is smooth, and it lies close by, But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.”
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“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.”
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“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”
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“A bad neighbor is as great a calamity as a good one is a great advantage.”
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“If you should put even a little on a little and should do this often, soon this would become big.”
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“Acquisition means life to miserable mortals.”
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“Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.”
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“Never make a companion equal to a brother.”
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“Mortals grow swiftly in misfortune.”
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“Happy is the man whom the Muses love: sweet speech flows from his mouth.”
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“Wealth should not be seized, but the god-given is much better.”
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“It will not always be summer; build barns.”
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“Often even a whole city suffers for a bad man who sins and contrives presumptuous deeds.”
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“Justice prevails over transgression when she comes to the end of the race.”