The Odyssey quotes

Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy.

there is a time for making speeches, and a time for going to bed; nevertheless, since you so desire, I will not refrain from telling you the still sadder tale of those of my comrades who did not fall fighting with the Trojans, but perished on their return, through the treachery of a wicked woman.

Man is the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth.

No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song—and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.’

‘Come here,’ they sang, ‘renowned Ulysses, honour to the Achaean name, and listen to our two voices.

See now, how men lay blame upon us gods for what is after all nothing but their own folly.

my name is Noman; this is what my father and mother and my friends have always called me.

There is no man living, however strong and in his prime, who could move it from its place, for it is a marvellous curiosity which I made with my very own hands.

May heaven grant you in all things your heart’s desire—husband, house, and a happy, peaceful home; for there is nothing better in this world than that man and wife should be of one mind in a house.

First you will come to the Sirens who enchant all who come near them. If any one unwarily draws in too close and hears the singing of the Sirens, his wife and children will never welcome him home again, for they sit in a green field and warble him to death with the sweetness of their song.

This was the most sickening sight that I saw throughout all my voyages.

There was a young olive growing within the precincts of the house, in full vigour, and about as thick as a bearing-post. I built my room round this with strong walls of stone and a roof to cover them, and I made the doors strong and well-fitting.

But Ulysses, when he had taken it up and examined it all over, strung it as easily as a skilled bard strings a new peg of his lyre and makes the twisted gut fast at both ends.

This was the last thing about which he told her, for here a deep sleep took hold upon him and eased the burden of his sorrows.

She is only a woman, whereas you are an immortal. Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else.

The goddess Calypso kept me with her in her cave, and wanted me to marry her, as did also the cunning Aeaean goddess Circe; but they could neither of them persuade me, for there is nothing dearer to a man than his own country and his parents, and however splendid a home he may have in a foreign country, if it be far from father or mother, he does not care about it.

You gave me thirteen pear trees, ten apple trees, and forty fig trees; you also said you would give me fifty rows of vines; there was corn planted between each row, and they yield grapes of every kind when the heat of heaven has been laid heavy upon them.

My friends, mend me this mischief, for you can if you will.’

My mother,” answered Telemachus, “tells me I am son to Ulysses, but it is a wise child that knows his own father.