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[Hermes addresses Prometheus :] To you, the clever and crafty, bitter beyond all bitterness, who has sinned against the gods in bestowing honors upon creatures of a day--to you, thief of fire, I speak.
Aeschylus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the tension between human creativity and divine order, highlighting the consequences of defying higher powers.

In this quote, Hermes confronts Prometheus for his audacity in gifting fire to humanity, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment. It emphasizes the bitter irony of human achievements that often come with divine disapproval, suggesting a profound conflict between human ambition and the limits imposed by the gods.

Themes

PrometheusFireCreativityDivineKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about creativity and innovation, one could quote this to emphasize the risks of challenging convention.

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A god implants in mortal guilt whenever he wants utterly to confound a house.
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