Cattle and fat sheep can all be had for the raiding…
““Cattle and fat sheep can all be had for the raiding, tripods for the trading, and tawny headed stallions. But a mans's lifebreath cannot come back again- no raiders in force, no trading brings it back, once it slips through a man's clenched teeth.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Iliad, Book 22, 8th century BC
Life’s breath is irreplaceable; material gains cannot restore a lost life.
In simple terms: Life cannot be bought back.
Key Takeaway
Value life over possessions.
Themes
mortality
value
impermanence
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- war
- trading
- personal loss
- ethical decisions
Key Concepts
human fragility
time
loss
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly matters when time is limited?
- How do you prioritize life over material gain?
A Different Perspective
Even with wealth, life cannot be reclaimed.