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
ships caution goods
Do not put all your goods in hollow ships.
ships profit admire
Admire a small ship, but put your freight in a large one; for the larger the load, the greater will be the profit upon profit.
best calls heed men worthless
The best is he who calls men to the best. And those who heed the call are also blessed. But worthless who call not, heed not, but rest.
bad calamity good great greek-poet
A bad neighbor is as great a calamity as a good one is a great advantage.
craftsman grudge poet potter
Potter is jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman; and the poor have a grudge against the poor, and the poet against the poet.
fashions greek-poet mischief
He fashions evil for himself who does evil to another, and an evil plan does mischief to the planner.
close excellence front gods greek-poet immortal lies road steep
Badness you can get easily, in quantity; the road is smooth, and it lies close by, But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.
If you should put even a little on a little and should do this often, soon this would become big.
greek-poet shall
If you add a little to a little, and then do it again, soon that little shall be much.
children grief heart
Whoever happens to give birth to mischievous children lives always with unending grief in his spirit and heart.
men poverty doe
Inhibition is no good provider for a needy man, Inhibition, which does men great harm and great good. Inhibition attaches to poverty, boldness to wealth.
loss men fruit
Diligence increaseth the fruit of toil. A dilatory man wrestles with losses.
toil shame source
Toil is no source of shame; idleness is shame.
disgrace idleness
Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.