Wisdom of Hesiod

Hesiod (circa 1200 BC), was an ancient Greek poet whose works are among the earliest surviving examples of Greek literature. He is best known for two major poems: Works and Days, offering practical advice on farming and morality, and Theogony, a cosmological epic detailing the origins of the gods and the universe.

Hesiod’s writings reflect a concern for justice, order, and the human condition.

Below we list some words of wisdom from Hesiod.

“Do not seek evil gains; evil gains are the equivalent of disaster.”

“The man who does evil to another does evil to himself, and the evil counsel is most evil for him who counsels it.”

“For a man wins nothing better than a good wife, and then again nothing deadlier than a bad one.”

“Justice prevails over transgression when she comes to the end of the race.”

“Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.”

“The gods have placed sweat before virtue.”

“He who neither thinks for himself nor learns from others, is a failure as a man.”

“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”

“A day is sometimes a mother, sometimes a stepmother.”

“Wealth should not be seized: God-given wealth is much better.”

“The fool learns by suffering.”

“If you add a little to a little, and then do it again, soon that little will become a lot.”

“Badness you can get easily, in quantity; the road is smooth, and it lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.”

“He harms himself who does harm to another, and the evil plan is most harmful to the planner.”

“Moderation is best in all things.”

“The half is greater than the whole when you lack judgment.”

“Gossip is mischievous, light and easy to raise, but grievous to bear and hard to put down.”

“A man’s best treasure is a thrifty tongue.”

“Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning.”

“It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human, and disorder is our worst enemy.”

“The dawn speeds a man on his journey, and speeds him too in his work.”

“Fools, they do not know how much more the half is than the whole.”

“There is a noise when justice is being dragged in the way where those who devour bribes and give sentence with crooked judgments take her.”

“Potter bears a grudge against potter, and craftsman against craftsman, and beggar is jealous of beggar, and minstrel of minstrel.”

“Love of gain drives men to madness.”

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

“Often an entire city has suffered because of an evil man.”

“Hunger is the constant companion of the idle man.”

“Strive for honest gain, for dishonest wealth brings ruin.”

“When you deal with a fool, expect folly.”

“From small beginnings come great things, if tended well.”

“Men’s best possession is a sympathetic wife.”
“Evil war and dread battle destroy both men and cities.”
“Keep your hands from violence and your heart from greed.”

“The gods love the just and hate the unjust.”

“Many times the gods bring things to pass beyond our expectation.”

“ Death is the lot of man, but to live well is his choice.”

“Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.”

“The best man is he who relies on himself for all things.”

“Order your work, that your hands may find what they seek.”

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