Bed Quote by Homer
“These nights are endless, and a man can sleep through them, or he can enjoy listening to stories, and you have no need to go to bed before it is time. Too much sleep is only a bore. And of the others, any one whose heart and spirit urge him can go outside and sleep, and then, when the dawn shows, breakfast first, then go out to tend the swine of our master. But we two, sitting here in the shelter, eating and drinking, shall entertain each other remembering and retelling our sad sorrows. For afterwards a man who has suffered much and wandered much has pleasure out of his sorrows.”
About This Quote
Source Epic: The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, circa 8th century BC
Endless nights test endurance; sharing stories eases sorrow, and work becomes a source of comfort.
In simple terms: Stories help endure hardship and find joy.
Key Takeaway
Share stories to cope with difficulty.
Themes
endurance
storytelling
work
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
mythological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- night watches
- manual labor
- friendship
- memory
Key Concepts
human condition
psychology
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do stories change your perception of pain?
- What role does companionship play in hardship?
A Different Perspective
Stories may not change the underlying suffering.
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