Death Quote by Homer
““The lord of distant archery, Apollo, answered: "Lord of earthquake, sound of mind you could not call me if I strove with you for the sake of mortals, poor things that they are. Ephemeral as the flamelike budding leaves, men flourish on the ripe wheat of the grainland, then in spiritless age they waste and die.””
About This Quote
Source Epic: The Iliad, Book 9, attributed to Homer, 8th century BC
The quote reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the limits of divine intervention, suggesting mortals are brief and vulnerable.
In simple terms: Human life is brief and vulnerable.
Key Takeaway
Recognize life's impermanence.
Themes
mortality
divine limits
human fragility
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- war
- personal reflection
- philosophical contemplation
Key Concepts
ephemerality
existentialism
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does impermanence teach us about priorities?
- How do we find meaning despite fleeting existence?
A Different Perspective
Even gods cannot control mortal fate.
