Beggar Quote by Hesiod
“In the race for wealth, a neighbor tries to outdo his neighbor, but this strife is good for men. For the potter envies potter, and the carpenter the carpenter, and the beggar rivals the beggar, and the singer the singer.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Works and Days, c. 750 BC
Competitive striving among peers drives progress, as each craftsman or laborer seeks to outdo others in their trade.
In simple terms: Rivalry pushes people to improve their work.
Use healthy competition to motivate growth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace
- artisan guilds
- entrepreneurship
- sports
- academic settings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can rivalry be kept constructive?
- When does competition become harmful?
Excessive rivalry can breed envy and conflict.