I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
EuripidesRead
Mankind . . . possesses two supreme blessings. First of these is the goddess Demeter, or Earth whichever name you choose to call her by. It was she who gave to man his nourishment of grain. But after her there came the son of Semele, who matched her present by inventing liquid wine as his gift to man. For filled with that good gift, suffering mankind forgets its grief; from it comes sleep; with it oblivion of the troubles of the day. There is no other medicine for misery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the dual blessings of nourishment from the earth and the solace of wine, highlighting their roles in alleviating human suffering.
Euripides emphasizes that mankind is blessed with two essential comforts: the nourishing gifts of the earth, represented by Demeter, and the soothing qualities of wine, which allows people to forget their troubles. The quote suggests that while food sustains the body, wine offers a temporary escape from life's hardships, serving as a unique remedy for emotional pain.
Themes
MankindBlessingsNourishmentWineHappinessSufferingGrief
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a toast at a gathering to celebrate the joys of food and drink.
More from Euripides
All quotes →Money is far more persuasive than logical arguments.
EuripidesRead
Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
EuripidesRead
Who then will dare to say I'm weak or timid? No, they'll say I'm loyal as a friend, ruthless as a foe, so much like a hero destined for glory.
EuripidesRead
Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
EuripidesRead
There is just one life for each of us: our own.
EuripidesRead
Similar quotes
More choice doesn't make us happy, and we understand that no one has infinite choices about how to live life.
Naomi AldermanRead
I have everything I need, so there are no blanks left unfilled.
Simone BilesRead
To laugh often and much ... this is to have succeeded. Probably not from Emerson: here's the full quotation and the story.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet.
ConfuciusRead
Do anything, but let it produce joy.
Walt WhitmanRead
Happiness is impossible for longer than 15 minutes. We are the descendants of creatures who, above all else, worried.
Alain De BottonRead