Hesiod
Hesiod
Hesiodwas a Greek poet generally thought by scholars to have been active between 750 and 650 BC, around the same time as Homer. He is generally regarded as the first written poet in the Western tradition to regard himself as an individual persona with an active role to play in his subject. Ancient authors credited Hesiod and Homer with establishing Greek religious customs. Modern scholars refer to him as a major source on Greek mythology, farming techniques, early economic thought,...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPoet
littles bigs
Keep adding little by little and it will become a big heap.
men race envy
In the race for wealth, a neighbor tries to outdo his neighbor, but this strife is good for men. For the potter envies potter, and the carpenter the carpenter, and the beggar rivals the beggar, and the singer the singer.
ships caution goods
Do not put all your goods in hollow ships.
generosity done half
Drink your fill when the jar is first opened, and when it is nearly done, but be sparing when it is half-empty; it's a poor savingwhen you come to the dregs.
men cities suffering
Often even a whole city suffers for a bad man who sins and contrives presumptuous deeds.
men greatest-treasure tongue
A sparing tongue is the greatest treasure among men.
struggle men he-man
The man who procrastinates is always struggling with misfortunes.
names hospitality
Do not get a name as overly lavish or too inhospitable.
men night iron
For now indeed is the race of iron; and men never cease from labour and sorrow by day and from perishing by night.
men hair race
And Zeus will destroy this race of mortal men too, when they, at their birth, have grey hair on their temples.
business potters enmity
The potter is at enmity with the potter.
men sweat evil
Evil can be got very easily and exists in quantity: the road to her is very smooth, and she lives near by. But between us and virtue the gods have placed the sweat of our brows; the road to her is long and steep, and it is rough at first; but when a man has reached the top, then she is easy to attain, although before she was hard.
half fool knows
Fools, they do not even know how much more is the half than the whole.
men perfect may
This man, I say, is most perfect who shall have understood everything for himself, after having devised what may be best afterward and unto the end.