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
sports lying sweat
Badness you can get easily, in quantity. The road is smooth and lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to do it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard.
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.
men sweat virtue
Men must sweat to attain virtue.
writing winning sweat
Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning.
perseverance sweat long
In front of excellence, the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.
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.