--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He knew the things that were and the…" description: "\"He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.\" — Homer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png" --- # He knew the things that were and the things that would be… ![“He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.” quote by Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png) > “He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.” [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speaks of timeless knowledge of past, present, and future events. **In simple terms:** Knowing all times. Key Takeaway Embrace the flow of destiny. Themes knowledge time fate history Mood mythic philosophical Type historical literary When to use this quote - studying ancient epics - contemplating destiny - teaching history - philosophical discussion Key Concepts prophecy omniscience continuity Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to know what was and will be? - How does this shape our actions? A Different Perspective Interpretations may vary across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Iliad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iliad/) [Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew/) [Knew Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-things/) [Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things/) [Things Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-things/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [“Suddenly he knew all the things he should have said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/suddenly-he-knew-all-the-things-he-should-have-said/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“But sometimes I knew things with my heart that my mind could not explain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-sometimes-i-knew-things-with-my-heart-that-my-mind-could-not/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Once harm has been done, even a fool understands it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/once-harm-has-been-done-even-a-fool-understands-it/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Of men who have a sense of honor, more come through alive than are slain, but from those who flee comes neither glory nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/of-men-who-have-a-sense-of-honor-more-come-through-alive-than-are/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Better to live or die, once and for all, than die by inches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/better-to-live-or-die-once-and-for-all-than-die-by-inches/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [A generation of men is like a generation of leaves; the wind scatters some leaves upon the ground, while others the burgeoning wood brings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/a-generation-of-men-is-like-a-generation-of-leaves-the-wind-scatters/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [It is not unseemly for a man to die fighting in defense of his country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/it-is-not-unseemly-for-a-man-to-die-fighting-in-defense-of-his-country/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [He lives not long who battles with the immortals, nor do his children prattle about his knees when he has come back from battle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-lives-not-long-who-battles-with-the-immortals-nor-do-his-children/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [The god of war is impartial: he hands out death to the man who hands out death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-god-of-war-is-impartial-he-hands-out-death-to-the-man-who-hands/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [It is not possible to fight beyond your strength, even if you strive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/it-is-not-possible-to-fight-beyond-your-strength-even-if-you-strive/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“My friend Patroclus, whom I loved, is dead. I loved him more than any other comrade. I loved him like my head, my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/my-friend-patroclus-whom-i-loved-is-dead-i-loved-him-more-than-any/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“so evenly was strained their war and battle, till the moment when Zeus gave the greater renown to Hector, son of Priam, who was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/so-evenly-was-strained-their-war-and-battle-till-the-moment-when-zeus/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [If you are very valiant, it is a god, I think, who gave you this gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/if-you-are-very-valiant-it-is-a-god-i-think-who-gave-you-this-gift/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [And overpowered by memory Both men gave way to grief. Priam wept freely For man - killing Hector, throbbing, crouching Before Achilles' feet as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/and-overpowered-by-memory-both-men-gave-way-to-grief-priam-wept/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Even when someone battles hard, there is an equal portion for one who lingers behind, and in the same honor are held both the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/even-when-someone-battles-hard-there-is-an-equal-portion-for-one-who/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) ## More by Homer > [“Few sons are like their fathers--most are worse, few better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/few-sons-are-like-their-fathers-most-are-worse-few-better/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/sing-in-me-muse-and-through-me-tell-the-story-of-that-man-skilled-in/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Hateful to me as are the gates of hell, Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart, Utters another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/hateful-to-me-as-are-the-gates-of-hell-is-he-who-hiding-one-thing-in/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“And Zeus said: “Hera, you can choose some other time for paying your visit to Oceanus — for the present let us devote ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/and-zeus-said-hera-you-can-choose-some-other-time-for-paying-your/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Ruin, eldest daughter of Zeus, she blinds us all, that fatal madness—she with those delicate feet of hers, never touching the earth, gliding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/ruin-eldest-daughter-of-zeus-she-blinds-us-all-that-fatal-madness-she/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“Scepticism is as much the result of knowledge, as knowledge is of scepticism. To be content with what we at present know, is, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/scepticism-is-as-much-the-result-of-knowledge-as-knowledge-is-of/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Boy, everyone is stupid except me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/boy-everyone-is-stupid-except-me/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“With that the dream departed, leaving him there, his heart racing with hopes that would not come to pass. He thought he would take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/with-that-the-dream-departed-leaving-him-there-his-heart-racing-with/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/tell-me-o-muse-of-that-ingenious-hero-who-travelled-far-and-wide/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/ah-beer-my-one-weakness-my-achille-s-heel-if-you-will/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [My life is more to me than all the wealth of Ilius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/my-life-is-more-to-me-than-all-the-wealth-of-ilius/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Being popular is the most important thing in the world!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/being-popular-is-the-most-important-thing-in-the-world/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies And sure he will for Wisdom never lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/urge-him-with-truth-to-frame-his-fair-replies-and-sure-he-will-for/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [There is nothing more dread and more shameless than a woman who plans such deeds in her heart as the foul deed which she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/there-is-nothing-more-dread-and-more-shameless-than-a-woman-who-plans/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) [Explore all 639 Homer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) ## More Iliad quotes > [“we're looking for a planeet on the strength of a song. it's crazy I know, but its the only chance we have to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-kagan/we-re-looking-for-a-planeet-on-the-strength-of-a-song-it-s-crazy-i/) [Janet Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-kagan/) > [I have always known that writing fiction had little effect on the world; that if it did, young men would not have gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-dubus/i-have-always-known-that-writing-fiction-had-little-effect-on-the/) [Andre Dubus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-dubus/) > [The Iliad is only great because all life is a battle, The Odyssey because all life is a journey, The Book of Job because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-iliad-is-only-great-because-all-life-is-a-battle-the-odyssey/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Iliad is the private lives of people thrown into disorder by history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-queneau/the-iliad-is-the-private-lives-of-people-thrown-into-disorder-by/) [Raymond Queneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-queneau/) > [And overpowered by memory Both men gave way to grief. Priam wept freely For man - killing Hector, throbbing, crouching Before Achilles' feet as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/and-overpowered-by-memory-both-men-gave-way-to-grief-priam-wept/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [If you are very valiant, it is a god, I think, who gave you this gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/if-you-are-very-valiant-it-is-a-god-i-think-who-gave-you-this-gift/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Every great literature has always been allegorical - allegorical of some view of the whole universe. The 'Iliad' is only great because all life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/every-great-literature-has-always-been-allegorical-allegorical-of/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Make room, Roman writers, make room for Greek writers; something greater than the Iliad is born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/propertius/make-room-roman-writers-make-room-for-greek-writers-something-greater/) [Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/propertius/) > [Something greater than the Iliad now springs to birth -Nescio quid maius nascitur Iliade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/propertius/something-greater-than-the-iliad-now-springs-to-birth-nescio-quid/) [Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/propertius/) > [“His tales took on the form of an epic poem, and I felt I was hearing some Canadian Homer reciting his Iliad of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/his-tales-took-on-the-form-of-an-epic-poem-and-i-felt-i-was-hearing/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“so evenly was strained their war and battle, till the moment when Zeus gave the greater renown to Hector, son of Priam, who was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/so-evenly-was-strained-their-war-and-battle-till-the-moment-when-zeus/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [He will find one English book and one only, where, as in the "Iliad" itself, perfect plainness of speech is allied with perfect nobleness;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/he-will-find-one-english-book-and-one-only-where-as-in-the-iliad/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [Stripped of its plot, the 'Iliad' is a scattering of names and biographies of ordinary soldiers: men who trip over their shields, lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-oswald/stripped-of-its-plot-the-iliad-is-a-scattering-of-names-and/) [Alice Oswald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-oswald/) > [Look at The Iliad, there's all this stuff about men loving children. The King of Sparta was the most brutal warrior of ancient Greece,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-marche/look-at-the-iliad-there-s-all-this-stuff-about-men-loving-children/) [Stephen Marche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-marche/) > [It doesn't seem to me that anyone has discovered much that's new since the Iliad or the Odyssey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-queneau/it-doesn-t-seem-to-me-that-anyone-has-discovered-much-that-s-new/) [Raymond Queneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-queneau/) [Browse all 130 Iliad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iliad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Homer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-things-that-would-be-and-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Iliad" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-things-that-would-be-and-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/homer-357_iliad_he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-thi_2159.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.” — Homer", "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": "Homer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He knew the things that were...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-things-that-would-be-and-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-things-that-would-be-and-the/#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 } } ] } ```