--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The gods love to punish whatever is…" description: "\"The gods love to punish whatever is greater than the rest.\" — Herodotus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/herodotus-2844_gods_the-gods-love-to-punish-whatever-is-grea_1521061.jpg" --- # The gods love to punish whatever is greater than the rest. ![“The gods love to punish whatever is greater than the rest.” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/herodotus-2844_gods_the-gods-love-to-punish-whatever-is-grea_1521061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/herodotus-2844_gods_the-gods-love-to-punish-whatever-is-grea_1521061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/herodotus-2844_gods_the-gods-love-to-punish-whatever-is-grea_1521061.jpg) > “The gods love to punish whatever is greater than the rest.” [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Divine retribution targets those who exceed others, implying a moral balance. **In simple terms:** Gods punish the overly powerful. Key Takeaway Beware hubris. Themes divine justice hubris balance power Mood cautionary reflective Type mythical ethical When to use this quote - political leadership - corporate dominance - celebrity culture Key Concepts retribution moral order social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What limits should be set on power? - How do societies enforce moral balance? A Different Perspective Interpretations of divine will vary across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Gods love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-love/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Punish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-punish-3138091/) [Punish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punish/) [Punish Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punish-greater-3996490/) [Rest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Whatever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whatever/) ## Related quotes > [The gods loves to punish whatever is greater than the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/the-gods-loves-to-punish-whatever-is-greater-than-the-rest/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [“We forgive sometimes, and sometimes we don't. One thing that's consistent is, at least in the early going, we love to punish and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whoopi-goldberg/we-forgive-sometimes-and-sometimes-we-don-t-one-thing-that-s/) [Whoopi Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whoopi-goldberg/) > [Yet I will make you all love me and I will punish myself to spite your love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/yet-i-will-make-you-all-love-me-and-i-will-punish-myself-to-spite/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [“I do not claim to be a healer: only God is the Healer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phindiwe-nkosi/i-do-not-claim-to-be-a-healer-only-god-is-the-healer/) [Phindiwe Nkosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phindiwe-nkosi/) > [“Gods, I love it when you talk mathy to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/gods-i-love-it-when-you-talk-mathy-to-me/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [It is the greatest and the tallest of trees that the gods bring low with bolts and thunder. For the gods love to thwart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/it-is-the-greatest-and-the-tallest-of-trees-that-the-gods-bring-low/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/but-i-like-not-these-great-success-of-yours-for-i-know-how-jealous/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [“Human knows cruelty and punishment but God knows only love and justice”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/human-knows-cruelty-and-punishment-but-god-knows-only-love-and-justice/) [P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/) > [Things I can overcome with gods stregth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/things-i-can-overcome-with-gods-stregth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Gods, the love that saturated the room was so potent that Arabella couldn't breathe. This was what she wanted. Someone who wouldn't let go,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libby-bishop/gods-the-love-that-saturated-the-room-was-so-potent-that-arabella/) [Libby Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libby-bishop/) > [There is no way to measure Gods love for us. It's just infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-seaport/there-is-no-way-to-measure-gods-love-for-us-it-s-just-infinite/) [Pauline Seaport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-seaport/) > [“I think it is not so much the growth of virtue, as simply the replacement of prior vices with an addiction to one’s god.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/i-think-it-is-not-so-much-the-growth-of-virtue-as-simply-the/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [“No need to be embarassed. After seeing you in my cousin's nightgown, you've got nothing to hide. But why were you crying in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/no-need-to-be-embarassed-after-seeing-you-in-my-cousin-s-nightgown/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [There is an ocean of Gods love available-there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love-whatever the circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/there-is-an-ocean-of-gods-love-available-there-is-plenty-for-everyone/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [“Go in peace," I said to him; "bear no ill-will to me, for Necessity yields to no man: and do not complain of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-renault/go-in-peace-i-said-to-him-bear-no-ill-will-to-me-for-necessity-yields/) [Mary Renault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-renault/) ## More by Herodotus > [Haste in every business brings failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/haste-in-every-business-brings-failures/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [A real friend ... exults in his friend’s happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/a-real-friend-exults-in-his-friend-s-happiness-rejoices-in-all-his/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/some-men-give-up-their-designs-when-they-have-almost-reached-the-goal/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [I know that human happiness never remains long in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/i-know-that-human-happiness-never-remains-long-in-the-same-place/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Happiness is not fame or riches or heroic virtues, but a state that will inspire posterity to think in reflecting upon our life, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/happiness-is-not-fame-or-riches-or-heroic-virtues-but-a-state-that/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/but-i-like-not-these-great-success-of-yours-for-i-know-how-jealous/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/knowledge-may-give-weight-but-accomplishments-give-lustre-and-many/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/very-few-things-happen-at-the-right-time-and-the-rest-do-not-happen/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [ They \[the Persians\] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/they-the-persians-are-accustomed-to-deliberate-on-matters-of-the/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/circumstances-rule-men-men-do-not-rule-circumstances/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/to-think-well-and-to-consent-to-obey-someone-giving-good-advice-are/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/unless-a-variety-of-opinions-are-laid-before-us-we-have-no/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/of-all-possessions-a-friend-is-the-most-precious/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/those-who-are-guided-by-reason-are-generally-successful-in-their/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [The gods loves to punish whatever is greater than the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/the-gods-loves-to-punish-whatever-is-greater-than-the-rest/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) [Explore all 145 Herodotus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## More Gods quotes > [“Is that what they teach you at the convent? That the gods demand the hearts from our bodies?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lafevers/is-that-what-they-teach-you-at-the-convent-that-the-gods-demand-the/) [Robin LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lafevers/) > [What Gods do you believe in? I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/against-stupidity-the-gods-themselves-contend-in-vain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you see those dull stars?" She outlined the formation with her finger. "A pentagram," whispered Scott. "Yes, but not just any pentagram. Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mattie/do-you-see-those-dull-stars-she-outlined-the-formation-with-her/) [Katie Mattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mattie/) > [How do you explain a person like Asha Bhosle? A star or a super star or just someone from the Gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/how-do-you-explain-a-person-like-asha-bhosle-a-star-or-a-super-star/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods… But even the great can tremble with fear. Even the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-man-as-great-as-the-gods-but-even-the/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Aeneas' mother is a star?" "No; a goddess." I said cautiously, "Venus is the power that we invoke in spring, in the garden, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/aeneas-mother-is-a-star-no-a-goddess-i-said-cautiously-venus-is-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The Gods know what it is to be eternal, and they love to toy with mortals who use absolutes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/the-gods-know-what-it-is-to-be-eternal-and-they-love-to-toy-with/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“It was suffering and incapacity that created all afterworlds - this, and that brief madness of bliss which is experienced only by those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-was-suffering-and-incapacity-that-created-all-afterworlds-this-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“The natural gods of men are other men, mythic or real, who embody manhood in men's eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-donovan/the-natural-gods-of-men-are-other-men-mythic-or-real-who-embody/) [Jack Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-donovan/) > [“Every nation is part of the history we inherit, blacks and whites, slaves and gods; we have no other option, embracing each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/every-nation-is-part-of-the-history-we-inherit-blacks-and-whites/) [M.F. 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