Here are examples of some of the most famous quotes from Homer’s The Odyssey, (850 BC). These will help you gain a deeper understanding of this ancient epic poem, which is considered to be one of the very first extant works of Western literature.
“Tell me, Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered far and wide after he had sacked Troy’s sacred city, and saw the towns of many men and knew their mind.” (First lines.)
“With sweet, reluctant, amorous delay.” Book 1
“‘My word, how mortals take the gods to task! All their afflictions come from us, we hear. And what of their own failings? Greed and folly double the suffering in the lot of man. ” Book 1
“It is a wise child that knows his own father.” Book 1
“What if his great father came from the unknown world and rove these men like dead leaves through the place?” Book 1
“Fly, dotard, fly! With thy wise dreams and fables of the sky.” Book 2
“And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.” Book 2
“Few sons attain the praise Of their great sires and most their sires disgrace.” Book 2
“For never, never, wicked man was wise.” Book 2
“He ceased: but left so charming on their ear His voice, that listening still they seemed to hear.” Book 2
“‘No need to wonder any more, Sir, who called this session. The distress is mine.'” Book 2
“A faultless body and a blameless mind.” Book 3
“Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies; And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.” Book 3
“Forget youth! but know, the Power above With ease can save each object of his love; Wide as his will, extends his boundless grace.” Book 3
“The windy satisfaction of the tongue.” Book 4
“These riches are possess’d, but not enjoy’d!” Book 4
“Jove weighs affairs of earth in dubious scales, And the good suffers while the bad prevails.” Book 6
“A decent boldness ever meets with friends.” Book 7
“For Fate has wove the thread of life with pain, And twins ev’n from the birth are Misery and Man!” Book 7
“Behold, on wrong Swift vengeance waits; and art subdues the strong.” Book 8
“Earth sounds my wisdom, and high heaven my fame.” Book 9
“Rare gift! but oh, what gift to fools avails!” Book 10
“Our fruitless labours mourn, And only rich in barren fame return.” Book 10
“So peaceful shalt thou end thy blissful days, And steal thyself from life by slow decays.” Book 11
“Far from gay cities, and the ways of men.” Book 14
“And wine can of their wits the wise beguile, Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile.” Book 14
“The melancholy joys of evils pass’d, For he who much has suffer’d, much will know.” Book 15
“Discourse, the sweeter banquet of the mind.” Book 15
“For too much rest itself becomes a pain.” Book 15
“Impatient straight to flesh his virgin sword.” Book 20
“And rest at last where souls unbodied dwell, In ever-flowing meads of Asphodel.” Book 24
