--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Greeks were the first…" description: "\"The Greeks were the first intellectualists. In a world where the irrational had played the chief role, they came forward as the protagonists of the min..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/311/edith-hamilton-7366_chiefs_the-greeks-were-the-first-intellectualis_1027323.jpg" --- # The Greeks were the first intellectualists. In a world… ![“The Greeks were the first intellectualists. In a world where the irrational had played the chief role, they came forward as the protagonists of the mind.” quote by Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/311/edith-hamilton-7366_chiefs_the-greeks-were-the-first-intellectualis_1027323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/311/edith-hamilton-7366_chiefs_the-greeks-were-the-first-intellectualis_1027323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/311/edith-hamilton-7366_chiefs_the-greeks-were-the-first-intellectualis_1027323.jpg) > “The Greeks were the first intellectualists. In a world where the irrational had played the chief role, they came forward as the protagonists of the mind.” [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Greeks introduced rational thought, shifting culture from superstition to reasoned inquiry. **In simple terms:** Greeks championed reason over irrationality. Key Takeaway Embrace logical thinking. Themes reason philosophy culture history intellectualism Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - education - public debate - scientific research - policy making Key Concepts rationalism humanism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How does reason coexist with emotion? - What modern irrationalities persist? A Different Perspective Rationalism can overlook emotional and cultural values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek/) [Greeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greeks/) [Greeks Intellectualists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greeks-intellectualists-2325401/) [Intellectualists World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectualists-world-2325402/) [Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Protagonists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protagonists/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-irrational-2325403/) ## Related quotes > [“No churchmen, I notice. Of course not. What use have they for a world without irrational fear?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-l-howard/no-churchmen-i-notice-of-course-not-what-use-have-they-for-a-world/) [Jonathan L. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-l-howard/) > [If the world is irrational, we can never know it -- either it or its irrationality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/if-the-world-is-irrational-we-can-never-know-it-either-it-or-its/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [It was a Roman who said it was sweet to die for one's country. The Greeks never said it was sweet to die for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/it-was-a-roman-who-said-it-was-sweet-to-die-for-one-s-country-the/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [“What could you possibly write at Gates of Hades?” Cadmus asked. “Keep your spirits up.” Lycon sheathed the dagger he’d used to chisel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulari-gentill/what-could-you-possibly-write-at-gates-of-hades-cadmus-asked-keep/) [Sulari Gentill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulari-gentill/) > [From one learn all. I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/from-one-learn-all-i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [How can any educated person stay away from the Greeks? I have always been far more interested in them than in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/how-can-any-educated-person-stay-away-from-the-greeks-i-have-always/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I can play lots of nationalities: Greeks, South Americans, Arabs, all sorts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-banerjee/i-can-play-lots-of-nationalities-greeks-south-americans-arabs-all/) [Victor Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-banerjee/) > [From Architecture down to the Zodiac, every science worthy of the name was imported by the Greeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-blavatsky/from-architecture-down-to-the-zodiac-every-science-worthy-of-the-name/) [H. P. Blavatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-blavatsky/) > [If you want to talk about cultural appropriation, we have to go back to the Greeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/if-you-want-to-talk-about-cultural-appropriation-we-have-to-go-back/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [There are proofs that date back to the Greeks that are still valid today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-wiles/there-are-proofs-that-date-back-to-the-greeks-that-are-still-valid/) [Andrew Wiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-wiles/) > [“Even the Greeks—the so called champions of democracy—voted without ever allowing a single woman into the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/even-the-greeks-the-so-called-champions-of-democracy-voted-without/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [Style is a fraud. I always felt the Greeks were hiding behind their columns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-de-kooning/style-is-a-fraud-i-always-felt-the-greeks-were-hiding-behind-their/) [Willem de Kooning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-de-kooning/) > [The vast majority of Greeks accept the need for reform and want to keep our country inside the euro zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangelos-venizelos/the-vast-majority-of-greeks-accept-the-need-for-reform-and-want-to/) [Evangelos Venizelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangelos-venizelos/) > [For the Greeks, there was no single canonical version of creation, but a number of overlapping stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macgregor/for-the-greeks-there-was-no-single-canonical-version-of-creation-but/) [Neil MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macgregor/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Edith Hamilton > [Poetry and preaching do not go well together; when the preacher mounts the pulpit the poet usually goes away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/poetry-and-preaching-do-not-go-well-together-when-the-preacher-mounts/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [When faith is supported by facts or by logic it ceases to be faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/when-faith-is-supported-by-facts-or-by-logic-it-ceases-to-be-faith/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [Ages of faith and of unbelief are always said to mark the course of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/ages-of-faith-and-of-unbelief-are-always-said-to-mark-the-course-of/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [None so good that he has no faults, None so wicked that he is worth naught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/none-so-good-that-he-has-no-faults-none-so-wicked-that-he-is-worth/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [To be able to be caught up into the world of thought-that is educated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/to-be-able-to-be-caught-up-into-the-world-of-thought-that-is-educated/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [Convention, so often a mask for injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/convention-so-often-a-mask-for-injustice/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [Myths are early science, the result of men's first trying to explain what they saw around them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/myths-are-early-science-the-result-of-men-s-first-trying-to-explain/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [A people's literature is the great textbook for real knowledge of them. The writings of the day show the quality of the people as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/a-people-s-literature-is-the-great-textbook-for-real-knowledge-of/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [“He drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek and make Hell grant what Love did seek. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/he-drew-iron-tears-down-pluto-s-cheek-and-make-hell-grant-what-love/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [Mind and spirit together make up that which separates us from the rest of the animal world, that which enables a man to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/mind-and-spirit-together-make-up-that-which-separates-us-from-the/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/it-has-always-seemed-strange-to-me-that-in-our-endless-discussions/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [When we speak of beauty, we're speaking of something we're more or less indifferent to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/when-we-speak-of-beauty-we-re-speaking-of-something-we-re-more-or/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [Love, however, cannot be forbidden. The more that flame is covered up, the hotter it burns. Also love can always find a way. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/love-however-cannot-be-forbidden-the-more-that-flame-is-covered-up/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [In theology the conservative temper tends to formalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/in-theology-the-conservative-temper-tends-to-formalism/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [The Old Testament is the record of men's conviction that God speaks directly to men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/the-old-testament-is-the-record-of-men-s-conviction-that-god-speaks/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) [Explore all 92 Edith Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) ## More Chiefs quotes > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [I always wanted to be a fireman, a cop, an Indian chief, a doctor, a lawyer. I always wanted to be all these things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-fireman-a-cop-an-indian-chief-a-doctor-a/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [The chief wonder of education is that it does not ruin everybody concerned in it, teachers and taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-chief-wonder-of-education-is-that-it-does-not-ruin-everybody/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Las Vegas is a resort whose two chief sources of income are seven and eleven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/las-vegas-is-a-resort-whose-two-chief-sources-of-income-are-seven-and/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [There is no one force, no group, and no class that is the preserver of liberty. Liberty is preserved by those who are against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burnham/there-is-no-one-force-no-group-and-no-class-that-is-the-preserver-of/) [James Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burnham/) > [Remember chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's callous enjoinder 'you never want a serious crisis to go to waste'? This White House is a serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-tyrrell/remember-chief-of-staff-rahm-emanuel-s-callous-enjoinder-you-never/) [Bob Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-tyrrell/) > [There is a wealth of unexpressed love in the world. It is one of the chief causes of sorrow evoked by death: what might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hopkins/there-is-a-wealth-of-unexpressed-love-in-the-world-it-is-one-of-the/) [Arthur Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hopkins/) > [Pure love is the chief manifestation of education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sai-baba/pure-love-is-the-chief-manifestation-of-education/) [Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sai-baba/) > [The chief beneficiary of life insurance policies for young, single people is the life insurance agent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-smith/the-chief-beneficiary-of-life-insurance-policies-for-young-single/) [Wes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-smith/) > [Most of my writer friends are women, and they're all extremely talented, so of course I think the state of contemporary fiction for women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/most-of-my-writer-friends-are-women-and-they-re-all-extremely/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [No commander in chief would ever say, 'I'm not going to listen to the guys on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/no-commander-in-chief-would-ever-say-i-m-not-going-to-listen-to-the/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [I'm going to be specific so you can render your verdict. Let's go to North Africa, she was the chief engineer of the disastrous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-christie/i-m-going-to-be-specific-so-you-can-render-your-verdict-let-s-go-to/) [Chris Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-christie/) > [...virtue is attended by more peace of mind than vice, and meets with a more favourable reception from the world. I am sensible, that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/virtue-is-attended-by-more-peace-of-mind-than-vice-and-meets-with-a/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [When you have the Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee and the political director of the Romney campaign, and their two companies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-caddell/when-you-have-the-chief-of-staff-of-the-republican-national-committee/) [Patrick Caddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-caddell/) [Browse all 1,428 Chiefs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Greeks were the first intellectualists. 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