--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have two useless gods who never leave…" description: "\"We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.\" — Herodotus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg" --- # We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but… ![“We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg) > “We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.” [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. Poverty and helplessness dominate lives, like deities that never leave, trapping people in suffering. **In simple terms:** Poverty and helplessness are ever‑present oppressors. Key Takeaway Combat systemic poverty. Themes poverty helplessness oppression society survival Mood somber thoughtful Type historical sociological When to use this quote - community development - social welfare - education programs Key Concepts social inequality economic determinism human agency Questions to Reflect On - What structures perpetuate poverty? - How can individuals foster resilience? A Different Perspective Addressing root causes is complex; change is gradual. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Island](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/island/) [Islands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islands/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) ## Related quotes > [Again, truth should be highly valued; if, as we were saying, a lie is useless to the gods, and useful only as a medicine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/again-truth-should-be-highly-valued-if-as-we-were-saying-a-lie-is/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of good will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/how-i-wish-that-somewhere-there-existed-an-island-for-those-who-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [No man is an island unto himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/no-man-is-an-island-unto-himself/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [The thing about impressing your girlfriend is that when you do something like a private island in Fiji, it's all downhill from that point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/the-thing-about-impressing-your-girlfriend-is-that-when-you-do/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/you-have-to-leave-the-island-in-order-to-see-the-island-that-we-can-t/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) > [I love the Lonely Island. I wish there was more Lonely Island movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-apatow/i-love-the-lonely-island-i-wish-there-was-more-lonely-island-movies/) [Judd Apatow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-apatow/) > [My wife's brother has a little house on a small island in the Baltic Sea, and we go there at Christmas. The 30-minute crossing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-frost/my-wife-s-brother-has-a-little-house-on-a-small-island-in-the-baltic/) [Nick Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-frost/) > [I just need to go to like an island or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-johnson/i-just-need-to-go-to-like-an-island-or-something/) Andre Johnson > [The final cover for 'Heroes Are My Weakness' feels exactly right. It reflects the cold, wintry setting of an isolated island off the coast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/the-final-cover-for-heroes-are-my-weakness-feels-exactly-right-it/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [We're all trying to get to the same island — whether you swim, fly, surf, or skydive, it doesn't matter. What matters is when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/we-re-all-trying-to-get-to-the-same-island-whether-you-swim-fly-surf-2/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I rented an island for Kanye West birthday. A far, far away place where no one can find us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/i-rented-an-island-for-kanye-west-birthday-a-far-far-away-place-where/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/no-other-island-received-as-much-preliminary-pounding-as-did-iwo-jima/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [Happiness isn't something this island yields easily; the ground is too rocky and the sun too sparse for it to flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/happiness-isn-t-something-this-island-yields-easily-the-ground-is-too/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Each person is an island unto himself, in a very real sense; and he can only build bridges to other islands if he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/each-person-is-an-island-unto-himself-in-a-very-real-sense-and-he-can/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [I always like to look for adventure when I go away. I have gone on several horse adventures with my wife - from Guangxi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-gormley/i-always-like-to-look-for-adventure-when-i-go-away-i-have-gone-on/) [Antony Gormley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-gormley/) ## 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. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ancient societies had anthropomorphic gods: a huge pantheon expanding into centuries of dynastic drama; fathers and sons, martyred heroes, star-crossed lovers, the deaths of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/ancient-societies-had-anthropomorphic-gods-a-huge-pantheon-expanding/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Astrology reveals the will of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/astrology-reveals-the-will-of-the-gods/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) [Browse all 1,461 Gods quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herodotus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave-our-island-but-like-to-dwell/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gods" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave-our-island-but-like-to-dwell/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/herodotus-2844_helplessness_we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave_2127262.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and…” — Herodotus", "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": "Herodotus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have two useless gods who...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave-our-island-but-like-to-dwell/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/we-have-two-useless-gods-who-never-leave-our-island-but-like-to-dwell/#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 } } ] } ```