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.

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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

Among all men on Earth, bards have a share of honor and reverence, because the Muse has taught them songs, and loves the race of bards.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote
Topic
Poets Poetry Stories
Speaker
Odysseus

Author

Homer
Source
The Odyssey
Medium
Poem
Genre
Epic poem
Language
Greek
Time
700 BC 700s BC 9th century BC
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 8, l. 479-481

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 8, l. 479-481.

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

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

1st Samuel 17:45

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More information about this quote
Topic
David and Goliath
Speaker
David
Source
1st Samuel The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Hebrew
Time
1010 BC 1010s BC 11th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (1st Samuel 17:45)

Another quote originally in Greek

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Jesus

Matthew 25:40

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

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Matthew 25:40).