We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things.

ἴδμεν ψεύδεα πολλὰ λέγειν ἐτύμοισιν ὁμοῖα, ἴδμεν δ᾽, εὖτ᾽ ἐθέλωμεν, ἀληθέα γηρύσασθαι.

Hesiod

Theogony

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More information about this quote

Topic

Lying Telling the truth

Author

Hesiod

Source

Theogony

Medium

Poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

Turkey Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hesiod. Θεογονία [Theogony]. c. 700 BC, l. 27-28.

Current Citation

Hesiod. "Theogony." Theogony and Works and Days, translated by M. L. West. Oxford University Press, 2009, l. 27-28.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Hesiod about lying: “We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know…”
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A quote by Hesiod about lying: “We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know…”
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A quote by Hesiod about lying: “We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know…”
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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 Hesiod

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 the 8th century BC

I should rather labor as another's serf, in the home of a man without fortune, one whose livelihood was meager, than rule over all the departed dead.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote
Topic
Slavery Death

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. 11, l. 489-491.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 11, l. 489-491.

Another quote from Classical antiquity

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

Homer

The Odyssey

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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 originally in Greek

All men have need of the Gods.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote
Topic
God and man God 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. 3, l. 48.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 3, l. 48.