A generation of men is like a generation of leaves: the wind scatters some leaves upon the ground, while others the burgeoning wood brings forth-and the season of spring comes on. So of men one generation springs forth and another ceases.

οἵη περ φύλλων γενεὴ τοίη δὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν. φύλλα τὰ μέν τ᾽ ἄνεμος χαμάδις χέει, ἄλλα δέ θ᾽ ὕλη τηλεθόωσα φύει, ἔαρος δ᾽ ἐπιγίγνεται ὥρη: ὣς ἀνδρῶν γενεὴ ἣ μὲν φύει ἣ δ᾽ ἀπολήγει.

Homer

The Iliad

Buy The Iliad at Amazon Buy The Iliad at Amazon
Read The Iliad at Project Gutenberg

More information about this quote

Topic

Circle of life

Author

Homer

Source

The Iliad

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. Ἰλιάς [The Iliad], edited by Demetrius Chalcondyles. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1489, bk. 6, l. 146-150.

Current Citation

Homer. The Iliad, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Oxford University Press, 2014, bk. 6, l. 146-150.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Homer about circle of life: “A generation of men is like a generation of leaves: the wind scatters some…”
Download
A quote by Homer about circle of life: “A generation of men is like a generation of leaves: the wind scatters some…”
Download
A quote by Homer about circle of life: “A generation of men is like a generation of leaves: the wind scatters some…”
Download

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

We are quick to flare up, we races of men on the earth.

Homer

The Odyssey

Buy The Odyssey at Amazon Buy The Odyssey at Amazon
Read The Odyssey at MIT's classics department website
More information about this quote
Topic
Temper Anger Human nature

Author

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

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 7, l. 307.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 7, l. 307.

Another quote from the 8th century BC

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

Hesiod

Works and Days

Buy Works and Days at Amazon Buy Works and Days at Amazon
Read Works and Days at Harvard's classics page
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

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

Jesus

John 8:12

Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon
Read this verse at Bible Hub
More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of Jesus Jesus
Speaker
Jesus
Source
Gospel of John The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Greek
Time
90 90s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (John 8:12.)

Another quote originally in Greek

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Aristotle

Buy Parts of Animals at Amazon Buy Parts of Animals at Amazon
More information about this quote
Topic
Beauty of nature Nature

Author

Aristotle
Source
On the Parts of Animals
Genre
Scientific literature
Language
Greek
Time
350 BC 350s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Aristotle. Περὶ ζῴων μορίων [Parts of Animals]. c. 350 BC.

Current Citation

Aristotle. "Parts of Animals I." Aristotle: Generation of Animals & History of Animals 1, Parts of Animals 1, translated by C. D. C. Reeve. Hackett Publications, 2019.