--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Atlas, we read in ancient song, Was so…" description: "\"Atlas, we read in ancient song, Was so exceeding tall and strong, He bore the skies upon his back, Just as the pedler does his pack; But, as the pedler..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/jonathan-swift-433_ancient_atlas-we-read-in-ancient-song-was-so-exc_1759495.jpg" --- # Atlas, we read in ancient song, Was so exceeding tall and… ![“Atlas, we read in ancient song, Was so exceeding tall and strong, He bore the skies upon his back, Just as the pedler does his pack; But, as the pedler overpress'd Unloads upon a stall to rest, Or, when he can no longer stand, Desires a friend to lend a hand, So Atlas, lest the ponderous spheres…” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/jonathan-swift-433_ancient_atlas-we-read-in-ancient-song-was-so-exc_1759495.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/jonathan-swift-433_ancient_atlas-we-read-in-ancient-song-was-so-exc_1759495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/jonathan-swift-433_ancient_atlas-we-read-in-ancient-song-was-so-exc_1759495.jpg) > “Atlas, we read in ancient song, Was so exceeding tall and strong, He bore the skies upon his back, Just as the pedler does his pack; But, as the pedler overpress'd Unloads upon a stall to rest, Or, when he can no longer stand, Desires a friend to lend a hand, So Atlas, lest the ponderous spheres Should sink, and fall about his ears, Got Hercules to bear the pile, That he might sit and rest awhile.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Atlas symbolizes the weight of responsibility and the need for assistance when burdens become overwhelming. **In simple terms:** Heavy duties may require help. Key Takeaway Seek support when overwhelmed. Themes responsibility help burden collaboration mythology Mood reflective serious Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - project management - personal stress - teamwork - mental health Key Concepts Greek myth metaphor human limitation Questions to Reflect On - When do you need to ask for help? - Who can you rely on for support? A Different Perspective Even strong individuals cannot bear all loads alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Ancient Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-song-397846/) [Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atlas/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Bores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bores/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Ears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ears/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Got Hercules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-hercules-1679909/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hercules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hercules/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Packs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/packs/) [Read Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-ancient-1538515/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Spheres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spheres/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Tall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tall/) ## Related quotes > [“Around them, sky and air wove the ancient song of the meeting place of earth and sea—wave-rush on the shore, gulls mewing and sobbing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-fox/around-them-sky-and-air-wove-the-ancient-song-of-the-meeting-place-of/) [Harper Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-fox/) > [I do not read the ancient languages, but I am beginning to study Greek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/i-do-not-read-the-ancient-languages-but-i-am-beginning-to-study-greek/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [“Those who have not learned to read the ancient classics in the language in which they were written must have a very imperfect knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/those-who-have-not-learned-to-read-the-ancient-classics-in-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“If I were in his(Prophet Muhammad) presence, I would wash his feet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hercules/if-i-were-in-his-prophet-muhammad-presence-i-would-wash-his-feet/) [Hercules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hercules/) > [“Zambo, who is a black Hercules, as willing as any horse, and about as intelligent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/zambo-who-is-a-black-hercules-as-willing-as-any-horse-and-about-as/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Oh, everything is fun when I’m around.” Hercules’s knees knocked into the back of my seat as he leaned back. “This one time, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/oh-everything-is-fun-when-i-m-around-hercules-s-knees-knocked-into/) [Jennifer L. 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