--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff…" description: "\"“See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient threshing floors when men with fans toss up the trodden sheaves, and yellow-haired Demeter, puff b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png" --- # See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient… ![“See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient threshing floors when men with fans toss up the trodden sheaves, and yellow-haired Demeter, puff by puff, divides the chaff and grain: how all day long in bleaching sun strawpiles grow white: so white grew those Akhaian figures in the dustcloud…” quote by Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png) > ““See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient threshing floors when men with fans toss up the trodden sheaves, and yellow-haired Demeter, puff by puff, divides the chaff and grain: how all day long in bleaching sun strawpiles grow white: so white grew those Akhaian figures in the dustcloud churned to the brazen sky by horses’ hooves as chariots intermingled, as the drivers turned and turned—carrying their hands high and forward gallantly despite fatigue.”” [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. The passage evokes vivid agricultural and mythic imagery to illustrate relentless labor and heroic perseverance amid harsh conditions. **In simple terms:** Hard work and heroism endure despite hardship. Key Takeaway Embrace effort, honor perseverance. Themes labor heroism myth nature perseverance Mood reflective determined Type poetic inspirational When to use this quote - battlefields - farm work - long journeys - rituals Key Concepts agricultural cycles heroic duty mythic symbolism Questions to Reflect On - How does mythic imagery inspire personal endurance? - What modern tasks feel like ancient threshing? A Different Perspective The dense metaphor may obscure practical lessons for modern readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chaff Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaff-ancient-1825312/) [Chariots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chariots/) [Chariots Intermingled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chariots-intermingled-1825311/) [Haired Demeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haired-demeter-1825313/) [Hooves Chariots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hooves-chariots-1825310/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Wind blowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind-blowing/) ## Related quotes > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In practical terms the South Pointing Chariot was a simple direction finder. It could have been made to point in any direction - north,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/in-practical-terms-the-south-pointing-chariot-was-a-simple-direction/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [The stifled hum of midnight, when traffic has lain down to rest, and the chariot wheels of Vanity, still rolling here and there through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-stifled-hum-of-midnight-when-traffic-has-lain-down-to-rest-and/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Tyson," I said "We're turning around!" Going the wrong way?" he asked. Always," I grumbled, but I steered the chariot towards the stands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/tyson-i-said-we-re-turning-around-going-the-wrong-way-he-asked-always/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Leo: Rainbows. Very macho. Annabeth: Butch is our best equestrian, he gets along great with the pegasi. Leo: Rainbows, ponies... Butch: I'm gonna toss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-rainbows-very-macho-annabeth-butch-is-our-best-equestrian-he-gets/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth’s grandest empire, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/if-two-angels-were-to-receive-at-the-same-moment-a-commission-from/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [The aquilegia sprinkled on the rocks A scarlet rain; the yellow violet Sat in the chariot of its leaves, the phlox Held spikes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/the-aquilegia-sprinkled-on-the-rocks-a-scarlet-rain-the-yellow-violet/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) > [Genius scorns the power of gold: it is wrong. Gold is the war-scythe on its chariot, which mows down the millions of its foes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ouida/genius-scorns-the-power-of-gold-it-is-wrong-gold-is-the-war-scythe-on/) [Ouida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ouida/) > [The chariot was purchased by a private collector who took it home to New York. I take pleasure in knowing that it was built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/the-chariot-was-purchased-by-a-private-collector-who-took-it-home-to/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [I started by looking at what others had done before me. You see, over the years there have been attempts by many different people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/i-started-by-looking-at-what-others-had-done-before-me-you-see-over/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [Know thou the self (spirit) as riding in a chariot, The body as the chariot. Know thou the intellect as the chariot-driver, And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/know-thou-the-self-spirit-as-riding-in-a-chariot-the-body-as-the/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [I shall drive my chariot down your street and cry hey it's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/i-shall-drive-my-chariot-down-your-street-and-cry-hey-it-s-me/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [The organs are the horses, the mind is the rein, the intellect is the charioteer, the soul is the rider, and the body is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-organs-are-the-horses-the-mind-is-the-rein-the-intellect-is-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-honor-can-there-be-without-humility-what-heights-can-be-reached/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The rabbit is significant in that the handle on the original South Pointing Chariot was carved in the form of a rabbit. Because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/the-rabbit-is-significant-in-that-the-handle-on-the-original-south/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) ## More by Homer > [He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/he-knew-the-things-that-were-and-the-things-that-would-be-and-the/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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/) [Explore all 639 Homer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) ## More Chariots quotes > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-honor-can-there-be-without-humility-what-heights-can-be-reached/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The organs are the horses, the mind is the rein, the intellect is the charioteer, the soul is the rider, and the body is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-organs-are-the-horses-the-mind-is-the-rein-the-intellect-is-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I shall drive my chariot down your street and cry hey it's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/i-shall-drive-my-chariot-down-your-street-and-cry-hey-it-s-me/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [Know thou the self (spirit) as riding in a chariot, The body as the chariot. Know thou the intellect as the chariot-driver, And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/know-thou-the-self-spirit-as-riding-in-a-chariot-the-body-as-the/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [I started by looking at what others had done before me. You see, over the years there have been attempts by many different people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/i-started-by-looking-at-what-others-had-done-before-me-you-see-over/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [The chariot was purchased by a private collector who took it home to New York. I take pleasure in knowing that it was built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/the-chariot-was-purchased-by-a-private-collector-who-took-it-home-to/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [Genius scorns the power of gold: it is wrong. Gold is the war-scythe on its chariot, which mows down the millions of its foes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ouida/genius-scorns-the-power-of-gold-it-is-wrong-gold-is-the-war-scythe-on/) [Ouida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ouida/) > [The aquilegia sprinkled on the rocks A scarlet rain; the yellow violet Sat in the chariot of its leaves, the phlox Held spikes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/the-aquilegia-sprinkled-on-the-rocks-a-scarlet-rain-the-yellow-violet/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) > [If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth’s grandest empire, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/if-two-angels-were-to-receive-at-the-same-moment-a-commission-from/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [Leo: Rainbows. Very macho. Annabeth: Butch is our best equestrian, he gets along great with the pegasi. Leo: Rainbows, ponies... Butch: I'm gonna toss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-rainbows-very-macho-annabeth-butch-is-our-best-equestrian-he-gets/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Tyson," I said "We're turning around!" Going the wrong way?" he asked. Always," I grumbled, but I steered the chariot towards the stands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/tyson-i-said-we-re-turning-around-going-the-wrong-way-he-asked-always/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The stifled hum of midnight, when traffic has lain down to rest, and the chariot wheels of Vanity, still rolling here and there through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-stifled-hum-of-midnight-when-traffic-has-lain-down-to-rest-and/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [In practical terms the South Pointing Chariot was a simple direction finder. It could have been made to point in any direction - north,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/in-practical-terms-the-south-pointing-chariot-was-a-simple-direction/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) > [The rabbit is significant in that the handle on the original South Pointing Chariot was carved in the form of a rabbit. Because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williams/the-rabbit-is-significant-in-that-the-handle-on-the-original-south/) [Kit Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williams/) [Browse all 118 Chariots quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chariots/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient threshing floors when men with fans toss up the trodden sheaves, and yellow-haired Demeter, puff by puff, divides the chaff and grain: how all day long in bleaching sun strawpiles grow white: so white grew those Akhaian figures in the dustcloud churned to the brazen sky by horses’ hooves as chariots intermingled, as the drivers turned and turned—carrying their hands high and forward gallantly despite fatigue.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Homer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff-on-ancient-threshing-floors/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chariots" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff-on-ancient-threshing-floors/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/homer-357_chariots_see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff_1776475.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“See in the mind’s eye wind blowing chaff on ancient threshing floors when men with fans toss up the trodden…” — 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": "“See in the mind’s eye wind...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff-on-ancient-threshing-floors/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/see-in-the-mind-s-eye-wind-blowing-chaff-on-ancient-threshing-floors/#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 } } ] } ```