For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few are better than their fathers.

παῦροι γάρ τοι παῖδες ὁμοῖοι πατρὶ πέλονται, οἱ πλέονες κακίους, παῦροι δέ τε πατρὸς ἀρείους.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote

Topic

Fathers and sons

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. 2, l. 276-277.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk.2, l. 276-277.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Homer about fathers and sons: “For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few…”
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A quote by Homer about fathers and sons: “For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few…”
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A quote by Homer about fathers and sons: “For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few…”
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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

Rage-Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus's son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses.

Homer

The Iliad

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More information about this quote

Author

Homer
Source
The Iliad
Medium
Poem
Genre
Epic poem
Statement Type
Opening lines
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. 1, l. 1.

Current Citation

Homer. The Iliad, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Oxford University Press, 2014, bk. 1, l. 1.

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

Who benefits?

Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla

Quoted in Pro Milone, by Cicero

More information about this quote
Speaker
Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla

Author

Cicero
Source
Pro Milone
Statement Type
Question
Language
Latin
Time
80 BC 80s BC 1st century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Cicero, Marcus Tullius. "Pro Roscio Amerino [In defense of Sextus Roscius of Amerina]." 80 BC, Umbria, Italy.

Another quote originally in Greek

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

Jesus

Luke 23:46

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More information about this quote
Topic
Jesus's death The crucifixion
Speaker
Jesus
Source
Gospel of Luke The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Greek
Time
61 60s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Luke 23:46).