--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as…" description: "\"Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!\" — Plautus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg" --- # Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs! ![“Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg) > “Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!” [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The gods treat humans like footballs, implying that divine forces manipulate mortal lives for sport. **In simple terms:** Gods play with humans like a game. Key Takeaway Recognize agency beyond divine whims. Themes fate divine caprice humanity Mood cynical reflective Type dramatic satirical When to use this quote - personal empowerment - critical thinking - spiritual reflection Key Concepts mythology free will absurdity Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel controlled by higher powers? - How can we assert autonomy? A Different Perspective Assuming gods are playful may diminish human responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) ## Related quotes > [“Remember how long you have been putting off these things, and how often you have received an opportunity from the gods, and yet do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/remember-how-long-you-have-been-putting-off-these-things-and-how/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“The gods use their chosen hard, but reveal little to them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-carey/the-gods-use-their-chosen-hard-but-reveal-little-to-them/) [Jacqueline Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-carey/) > [To me the footballs are approved by the league and game officials pregame and we play with what's out there. That's the only way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/to-me-the-footballs-are-approved-by-the-league-and-game-officials/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [I didn't alter the footballs in any way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brady/i-didn-t-alter-the-footballs-in-any-way/) [Tom Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brady/) > [Morality and ethics are nothing but footballs, wherewith people, strong people play to win points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/morality-and-ethics-are-nothing-but-footballs-wherewith-people-strong/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [In this country, since footballs made from pigs' bladders were whacked into goals without nets, we've played on full-size pitches. Whatever our age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-lineker/in-this-country-since-footballs-made-from-pigs-bladders-were-whacked/) [Gary Lineker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-lineker/) > [Life is a football. And we are footballs. Never mind that kicks of people. Because without kicks, we may not touch the goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldyna-threesya/life-is-a-football-and-we-are-footballs-never-mind-that-kicks-of/) [Aldyna Threesya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldyna-threesya/) > [I don't put any thought into the footballs after I choose them. When you're out there playing in front of 70,000 people, like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brady/i-don-t-put-any-thought-into-the-footballs-after-i-choose-them-when/) [Tom Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brady/) > [I'm not limited to running or jumping or catching footballs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquise-goodwin/i-m-not-limited-to-running-or-jumping-or-catching-footballs/) [Marquise Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquise-goodwin/) > [I'm sure that any current or past player of mine would tell you that the balls we practice with are as bad as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/i-m-sure-that-any-current-or-past-player-of-mine-would-tell-you-that/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Footballs, basketballs, microphones, gas and grass... Just some of the few things that J-Ro likes to pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-ro/footballs-basketballs-microphones-gas-and-grass-just-some-of-the-few/) [J-Ro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-ro/) > [I took a couple footballs to the face before I learned to catch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquem-griffin/i-took-a-couple-footballs-to-the-face-before-i-learned-to-catch/) [Shaquem Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquem-griffin/) > [We never use the condition of the footballs as an excuse. We play with whatever or kick with whatever we have to use and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/we-never-use-the-condition-of-the-footballs-as-an-excuse-we-play-with/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Aegis-bearing Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/aegis-bearing-zeus-has-a-design-for-each-occasion-and-mortals-find/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [“The Gods know what it is to be eternal, and they love to toy with mortals who use absolutes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/the-gods-know-what-it-is-to-be-eternal-and-they-love-to-toy-with/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) ## More by Plautus > [Remind a man of what he remembers, and you will make him forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/remind-a-man-of-what-he-remembers-and-you-will-make-him-forget-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [I suspect that hunger was my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-suspect-that-hunger-was-my-mother/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He is happy in his wisdom who has learned at another's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-is-happy-in-his-wisdom-who-has-learned-at-another-s-expense/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He who dies for virtue does not perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-dies-for-virtue-does-not-perish/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-man-who-would-be-fully-employed-should-procure-a-ship-or-a-woman/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [If you speak insults you will hear them also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/if-you-speak-insults-you-will-hear-them-also/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ No man has perpetual good fortune. \[Lat., Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/no-man-has-perpetual-good-fortune-lat-nulli-est-homini-perpetuum-bonum/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [What you lend is lost; when you ask for it back, you may find a friend made an enemy by your kindness. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/what-you-lend-is-lost-when-you-ask-for-it-back-you-may-find-a-friend/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Things unhoped for happen oftener than things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/things-unhoped-for-happen-oftener-than-things-we-desire/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [“Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent (How often the greatest talents are shrouded in obscurity)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ut-saepe-summa-ingenia-in-occulto-latent-how-often-the-greatest/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ You little know what a ticklish thing it is to go to law. \[Lat., Nescis tu quam meticulosa res sit ire ad judicem.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/you-little-know-what-a-ticklish-thing-it-is-to-go-to-law-lat-nescis/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Modesty should accompany youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/modesty-should-accompany-youth/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [It is wisdom to think upon anything before we execute it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-is-wisdom-to-think-upon-anything-before-we-execute-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [A woman smells well when she smells of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/a-woman-smells-well-when-she-smells-of-nothing/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) [Explore all 259 Plautus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plautus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footballs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footballs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/plautus-1263_death_ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footba_844451.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!” — Plautus", "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": "Plautus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ah yes, the gods use us...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footballs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ah-yes-the-gods-use-us-mortals-as-footballs/#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 } } ] } ```