There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.
If you are one of earth’s inhabitants, how blest your father, and your gentle mother, blest all your kin. I know what happiness must send the warm tears to their eyes, each time they see their wondrous child go to the dancing! But one man’s destiny is more than blest—he who prevails, and takes you as his bride. Never have I laid eyes on equal beauty in man or woman. I am hushed indeed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses profound admiration for beauty and the happiness it brings to family, as well as the joy and privilege of love.
In this quote, Homer reflects on the beauty of a beloved and the joy it brings not just to the person enamored but also to their family. He articulates how the sight of their 'wondrous child' dancing brings tears of happiness to the eyes of parents, highlighting the deep connection between love, familial pride, and the transcendent experience of marriage. The speaker emphasizes that finding such beauty is a rare and blessed occurrence, especially in the context of love and commitment.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech to celebrate the couple's love and beauty.
More from Homer
All quotes →For Fate has wove the thread of life with pain,_x000D_ _x000D_ And twins ev'n from the birth are Misery and Man!
Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this.
Sing, O muse, of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
[I]t is the wine that leads me on, the wild wine that sets the wisest man to sing at the top of his lungs, laugh like a fool – it drives the man to dancing... it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told.
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I love you, Hermione,” said Ron, sinking back, rubbing his eyes wearily. Hermione turned faintly pink, but merely said, “Don’t let Lavender hear you saying that.” “I won’t,” said Ron into his hands. “Or maybe I will . . . then she’ll ditch me . . .
Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart.