--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus…" description: "\"It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that \"Men having often abandoned what was visible for the sake of what was uncertain, have not got what they ex..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg" --- # It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that "Men having… ![“It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that "Men having often abandoned what was visible for the sake of what was uncertain, have not got what they expected, and have lost what they had, - being unfortunate by an enigmatical sort of calamity."” quote by Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg) > “It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that "Men having often abandoned what was visible for the sake of what was uncertain, have not got what they expected, and have lost what they had, - being unfortunate by an enigmatical sort of calamity."” [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People abandon certainty for uncertainty, losing what they had. **In simple terms:** Chasing the unknown can cause loss. Key Takeaway Value what you have before seeking the unknown. Themes philosophy uncertainty loss Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - decision making - risk assessment - personal growth - historical analysis Key Concepts classical literature human behavior Questions to Reflect On - When is it worth abandoning certainty? - How to mitigate loss when exploring? A Different Perspective Risk can lead to breakthroughs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandoned/) [Calamity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) [Demetrius Phalereus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demetrius-phalereus-4819887/) [Expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expected/) [Expected Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expected-lost-578453/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost Unfortunate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-unfortunate-4819889/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sake/) [Saying Demetrius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying-demetrius-4819888/) [Uncertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertain/) [Unfortunate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfortunate/) [Visible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visible/) ## Related quotes > [I became so consumed with trying to live up to what the public expected that I lost myself. I don't know of anyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-principal/i-became-so-consumed-with-trying-to-live-up-to-what-the-public/) [Victoria Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-principal/) > [The Navy is the asylum for the perverse, the home of the unfortunate. Here the sons of adversity meet the children of calamity, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-navy-is-the-asylum-for-the-perverse-the-home-of-the-unfortunate/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Such exceptional suffering and calamity, then, affecting the hero, and-we must now add-generally extending far and wide beyond him, so as to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bradley/such-exceptional-suffering-and-calamity-then-affecting-the-hero-and/) [A. C. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bradley/) > [The worst calamity: 'To have eyes and fail to see.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-worst-calamity-to-have-eyes-and-fail-to-see/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [There is a big lesson in experiencing uncertainty and calamity with a sober focus - the most chaotic moments are the ones from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-stiles/there-is-a-big-lesson-in-experiencing-uncertainty-and-calamity-with-a/) [Tara Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-stiles/) > [The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-liberty-of-the-press-is-a-blessing-when-we-are-inclined-to-write/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Drudgery, calamity, exasperation, want, are instructors in eloquence and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/drudgery-calamity-exasperation-want-are-instructors-in-eloquence-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I doubt if I have made the best use of all my calamities. Soft, amiable natures they would have refined to saintliness; of strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-doubt-if-i-have-made-the-best-use-of-all-my-calamities-soft-amiable/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Calamity, war, famine, plague, death, adversity, disease, injury do not necessarily produce repentance. We may become better in a calamity but it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/calamity-war-famine-plague-death-adversity-disease-injury-do-not/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me, And it’s working for my good, And it’s building my testimony...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-sapp/in-spite-of-calamity-he-still-has-a-plan-for-me-and-it-s-working-for/) [Marvin Sapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-sapp/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) ## More by Athenaeus > [It is the mark of a gentleman to be moderate in the use of wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-is-the-mark-of-a-gentleman-to-be-moderate-in-the-use-of-wine/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [Whoever gulps down wine as a horse gulps down water is called a Scythian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/whoever-gulps-down-wine-as-a-horse-gulps-down-water-is-called-a/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [ On one occasion some one put a very little wine into a \[glass\], and said that it was sixteen years old. 'It is very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/on-one-occasion-some-one-put-a-very-little-wine-into-a-glass-and-said/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [Goodness does not consist in greatness, but greatness in goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/goodness-does-not-consist-in-greatness-but-greatness-in-goodness/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [Every investigation which is guided by principles of Nature fixes its ultimate aim entirely on gratifying the stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/every-investigation-which-is-guided-by-principles-of-nature-fixes-its/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > ['It is very small for its age,' said Gnathaena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-is-very-small-for-its-age-said-gnathaena/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [the Egyptians became fond of wine and bibulous; and so a way was found among them to help those who could not afford wine,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/the-egyptians-became-fond-of-wine-and-bibulous-and-so-a-way-was-found/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [I have heard a greater storm in a boiling pot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/i-have-heard-a-greater-storm-in-a-boiling-pot/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) > [Fasting cures diseases, dries up bodily humors, puts demons to flight, gets rid of impure thoughts, makes the mind clearer and the heart purer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/fasting-cures-diseases-dries-up-bodily-humors-puts-demons-to-flight/) [Athenaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) [Explore all 10 Athenaeus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/) ## More Abandoned quotes > [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. Tattered plastic sheeting still hangs askew here and there. Blackened aerosol cans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-bass/i-m-surprised-when-i-walk-right-into-yet-another-abandoned-hunters/) [Rick Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-bass/) > [It’s hard to feel attracted to someone who has abandoned her sense of autonomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/it-s-hard-to-feel-attracted-to-someone-who-has-abandoned-her-sense-of/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) > [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [In Russia there is an emigration of intelligence: émigrés cross the frontier in order to read and to write good books. But in doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-russia-there-is-an-emigration-of-intelligence-migr-s-cross-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [We should be recklessly abandoned to Jesus, and just turn it over to Him. Through the support I think the sacrifices will be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacie-orrico/we-should-be-recklessly-abandoned-to-jesus-and-just-turn-it-over-to/) [Stacie Orrico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacie-orrico/) > [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [The whole force of the respectable circles to which I belonged, that respectable circle which knew as I did notthe value of security won,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-tarbell/the-whole-force-of-the-respectable-circles-to-which-i-belonged-that/) [Ida Tarbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-tarbell/) > [Barack Obama became president, and he abandoned Iraq. He left, and when he left Al Qaida was done for. ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [“The desperate loneliness is nothing compared to the torture of falling in love and then being abandoned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-nuest/the-desperate-loneliness-is-nothing-compared-to-the-torture-of/) [A.J. Nuest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-nuest/) > [Through it all, this wild life on and off the road , through Jordanian deserts , Spanish islands, German prisons, Caribbean tax scams, halls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/through-it-all-this-wild-life-on-and-off-the-road-through-jordanian/) [Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. It doesn't seem to solve the main problem with adoption, which is that somebody feels she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-ve-never-been-keen-on-open-adoption-it-doesn-t-seem-to-solve-the/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [Blacks abandoned morals, fathers, and real belief in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lee-peterson/blacks-abandoned-morals-fathers-and-real-belief-in-god/) [Jesse Lee Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lee-peterson/) > [I just feel abandoned. And I feel, I don't feel represented by the Republican Party. I have always had to defend the social side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/i-just-feel-abandoned-and-i-feel-i-don-t-feel-represented-by-the/) [Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/) > [While society cannot provide employment for its members, the production/work/income nexus has to be abandoned as a justification for our present parsimony to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hawke/while-society-cannot-provide-employment-for-its-members-the/) [Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hawke/) [Browse all 932 Abandoned quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandoned/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that \"Men having often abandoned what was visible for the sake of what was uncertain, have not got what they expected, and have lost what they had, - being unfortunate by an enigmatical sort of calamity.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Athenaeus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-that-men-having-often/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abandoned" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-that-men-having-often/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/athenaeus-42740_abandoned_it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-t_3009728.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was a saying of Demetrius Phalereus, that \"Men having often abandoned what was visible for the sake of…” — Athenaeus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Athenaeus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athenaeus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It was a saying of Demetrius...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-that-men-having-often/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athenaeus/it-was-a-saying-of-demetrius-phalereus-that-men-having-often/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```