Men flourish only for a moment.

ἄνθρωποι δὲ μινυνθάδιοι τελέθουσιν.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote

Topic

Ephemeral nature of life

Author

Homer

Source

The Odyssey

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Poet

From

Greece Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 19, l. 328.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 19, l. 328.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Homer about ephemeral nature of life: “Men flourish only for a moment.”
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A quote by Homer about ephemeral nature of life: “Men flourish only for a moment.”
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A quote by Homer about ephemeral nature of life: “Men flourish only for a moment.”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Homer

Zeus does not bring all men's plans to fulfillment.

Achilles

Quoted in The Iliad, by Homer

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More information about this quote
Topic
God and man Fate
Speaker
Achilles

Author

Homer
Source
The Iliad
Medium
Poem
Genre
Epic poem
Language
Greek
Time
700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Homer. Ἰλιάς [The Iliad], edited by Demetrius Chalcondyles. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1489, bk. 18, l. 328.

Current Citation

Homer. The Iliad, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Oxford University Press, 2014, bk. 18, l. 328.

Another quote about Ephemeral nature of life

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare

Macbeth

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More information about this quote
Topic
Absurdity of life The absurd Life as performance Ephemeral nature of life Life
Speaker
Macbeth

Author

William Shakespeare
Source
Macbeth
Medium
Play
Genre
Tragedy (play)
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1616 1610s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Macbeth." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 5, sc. 5.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Macbeth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 5.

Another quote from the 8th century BC

Between us and excellence, the gods have placed the sweat of our brows.

Hesiod

Works and Days

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More information about this quote
Topic
Hard work Excellence Character Virtue The human condition

Author

Hesiod
Source
Works and Days
Medium
Poem
Genre
Didactic poem
Language
Greek
Time
700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 1
Original Citation

Hesiod. Ἔργα καὶ Ἡμέραι [Works and Days]. c. 700 BC, l. 289.

Current Citation

Hesiod. "Works and Days." Theogony and Works and Days, translated by M. L. West. Oxford University Press, 2009, l. 289.

Another quote from Classical antiquity

For our discussion is about no ordinary matter, but on the right way to conduct our lives.

Socrates

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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More information about this quote
Topic
How to live Purpose of life
Speaker
Socrates

Author

Plato
Source
Republic
Medium
Philosophical dialogue Dialogue
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
Greek
Time
375 BC 370s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Πολιτεία [Republic], written by Plato. c. 375 BCE.

Current Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Republic, written by Plato, translated by Desmond Lee. Penguin Classics, 2007.

Another quote originally in Greek

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Apostle Paul

Galatians 5:22-23

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More information about this quote
Topic
Virtues

Author

Apostle Paul
Source
Galatians The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Greek
Time
50 50s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. The Lockman Foundation, 1971. (Galatians 5:22-23).