HOMER—IN HIS OWN WORDS
Quotes from The Odyssey
Selected passages from Ian Johnston's Odyssey Translation
The following passages are drawn from Ian Johnston's translation of The Iliad, published by Richer Resources Publications. Book and line numbers are provided for each selection.
Available in abridged and unabridged editions.
Available in abridged and unabridged editions.
“One cannot blame the singers.
It seems to me it’s Zeus’ fault. He hands out
to toiling men, each and every one of them,
whatever he desires.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book I, lines 470–473
“For men praise the most
the song which they have heard most recently.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book I, lines 475–476
You should honour other men, your neighbours,
who live close by. And you should be afraid
of anger from the gods, in case their rage
at your bad acts turns them against you.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book II, lines 85–89
"Your heart will think of something,
and power from heaven will provide the rest.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book III, lines 31–32
“But the gods cannot protect a man from death—
which comes to all—even ones they love,
once the destroying fate of a harsh doom
has seized him.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book III, lines 320–323
“You must act with courage, so those born
in future years will say good things of you.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book III, lines 265–267
“You must not spend so much time like this,
in constant weeping. That’s no help to us."
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book IV, lines 733–735
“I’ll think about all those things for you,
just as I would plan things for myself,
if I were in such need. My mind is fair,
and the heart here in my chest is not made of iron.
I understand compassion.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book V, lines 235–239
“Nothing
is greater or more admirable than when
two people who love each other keep house
with a unity of mind.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book VI, lines 231–234
“We must look after him, for every stranger,
every beggar, comes from Zeus, and any gift,
even something small, is to be cherished.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book VI, lines 265–268
“To any man with some intelligence,
a stranger coming as a suppliant
brings the same delight a brother does.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book VIII, lines 688–690
“For from all people living on the earth
singers win honour and respect. The Muse
has taught them song and loves their tribe.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book VIII, lines 598–600
“How true it is the gods do not present
their lovely gifts to all men equally,
not beauty, shape, or skill in speaking out.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book VIII, lines 208–210
"I’d rather live
working as a wage-labourer for hire
by some other man, one who had no land
and not much in the way of livelihood,
than lord it over all the wasted dead.”
than lord it over all the wasted dead.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XI, lines 623–627
“There’s a time
for many stories and a time for sleep.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XI, lines 476–478
“The truth is this—blessed gods don’t love
men’s reckless acts. No. They honour justice
and men’s righteousness.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XIV, lines 102–105
“So no man
should ever practise any lawlessness.
He should hold his gifts from gods in silence,
whatever they give.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XVIII, lines 180–183
“Sleep is sweet
to anyone it seizes, even if he’s troubled.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XIX, lines 643–644
“There’s no way
men can go on forever without sleep.
Immortal gods have set a proper time
for every man on this grain-bearing earth.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XIX, lines 746–749
“Greetings, honoured stranger.
Though you’re facing many troubles now,
may you find happiness in future days.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XX, lines 239–241
“Answer as your heart and spirit prompt you.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XXI, line 247
“If it’s true the gods
are going to bring you a happier old age,
there’s hope you’ll have relief from trouble.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XXIII, lines 365–367
"And let us make them forget the slaughter
of their brothers and their sons. Then let them
live in friendship, as they did before.
And may they have abundant wealth and peace.”
—Homer, The Odyssey, Book XXIV, lines 622–625