There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.
HomerRead
Reproach is infinite, and knows no end So voluble a weapon is the tongue; Wounded, we wound; and neither side can fail For every man has equal strength to rail.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the endless cycle of hurtful speech and its consequences.
Homer's reflection on the nature of reproach highlights how words can become a continuous cycle of mutual harm. It suggests that insults and grievances can escalate, as every individual possesses the capability to retaliate verbally, thus perpetuating a never-ending conflict. This expression of human interactions points to the power of speech as both a tool for communication and a weapon that can inflict pain, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with its use.
Themes
ReproachWordsConflictCommunicationHarmRetaliation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the impact of social media on communication, this quote can highlight how online interactions can escalate quickly.
More from Homer
All quotes βFor Fate has wove the thread of life with pain,_x000D_ _x000D_ And twins ev'n from the birth are Misery and Man!
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Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this.
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Sing, O muse, of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.
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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.
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[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 β it drives the man to dancing... it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told.
HomerRead
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