--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned…" description: "\"Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/odysseus-59557_courage_dear-friends-surely-we-are-not-unlearned_1666752.jpg" --- # Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This… ![“Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day…” quote by Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/odysseus-59557_courage_dear-friends-surely-we-are-not-unlearned_1666752.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/odysseus-59557_courage_dear-friends-surely-we-are-not-unlearned_1666752.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/odysseus-59557_courage_dear-friends-surely-we-are-not-unlearned_1666752.jpg) > “Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day too. Then do as I say, let us all be won over.” [Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Courage, counsel, and intelligence can overcome oppression and violence, leaving a lasting legacy. **In simple terms:** Courage and wit defeat oppression. Key Takeaway Use intellect and bravery to escape hardship. Themes courage intelligence freedom legacy overcoming oppression Mood determined reflective Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - Political exile - war captivity - personal crisis - team decision Key Concepts Heroic strategy resilience leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply counsel in a modern crisis? - What legacy do you wish to leave? A Different Perspective Success may depend on external allies, not just personal skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Dear friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear-friend/) [Dear friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear-friends/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ## Related quotes > [“The lesser of two evils, or the greater good. 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Even now I curse the day-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/art-thou-not-sorry-for-these-heinous-deeds-aaron-ay-that-i-had-not/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I have some very dear friends I stalk consistently when I come home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-rhodes/i-have-some-very-dear-friends-i-stalk-consistently-when-i-come-home/) [Kim Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-rhodes/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Odysseus > [Your reputation for hospitality is fast becoming legend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odysseus/your-reputation-for-hospitality-is-fast-becoming-legend/) [Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) > [At this time Charybdis sucked down the seas salt water, but I reached high in the air above me, to where the tall fig…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odysseus/at-this-time-charybdis-sucked-down-the-seas-salt-water-but-i-reached/) [Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) > [Of all creatures that breathe and walk on the earth there is nothing more helpless than a man is, of all that the earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odysseus/of-all-creatures-that-breathe-and-walk-on-the-earth-there-is-nothing-2/) [Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) > [Mother, why will you not wait for me, when I am trying to hold you, so that even in Hades with our arms embracing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odysseus/mother-why-will-you-not-wait-for-me-when-i-am-trying-to-hold-you-so/) [Odysseus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) [Explore all 5 Odysseus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odysseus/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. 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