--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hesiod might as well have kept his breath…" description: "\"Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.\" — Plutarch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg" --- # Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his… ![“Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg) > “Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hesiod’s work is seen as pointless, akin to keeping breath merely to cool a simple dish. **In simple terms:** His writings are considered useless. Key Takeaway Question the value of work. Themes literature worth effort Mood critical thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - Academic study - writing - artistic creation - teaching Key Concepts ancient Greek poetry criticism creative work Questions to Reflect On - Is all art judged by utility? - When does effort become meaningful? A Different Perspective May overlook cultural or historical significance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath Cool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath-cool-2835977/) [Breaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaths/) [Cool Pottage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cool-pottage-3807459/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesiod-82040/) [Hesiod Kept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesiod-kept-3807455/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Kept Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kept-breath-3807457/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“Spare your breath to cool your porridge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/spare-your-breath-to-cool-your-porridge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The men and women of the Golden Age, Hesiod wrote, lived in an eternal spring, for hundreds of years, always youthful, fed on acorns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt/the-men-and-women-of-the-golden-age-hesiod-wrote-lived-in-an-eternal/) [A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt/) > [“keep your breath to cool your porridge”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/keep-your-breath-to-cool-your-porridge/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of course familiar with: 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge'; and I shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/there-is-a-fine-old-saying-which-everybody-here-is-of-course-familiar/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“In pointing out this parallel, I do not suggest that Hesiod is somehow the Greek equivalent of Moses or that his Theogony is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-markos/in-pointing-out-this-parallel-i-do-not-suggest-that-hesiod-is-somehow/) [Louis Markos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-markos/) > [“Keep your breath to cool your porridge'; and I shall keep mine to swell my song.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/keep-your-breath-to-cool-your-porridge-and-i-shall-keep-mine-to-swell/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Once, in his first term, Cartwright had been bold enough to ask him why he was clever, what exercises he did to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/once-in-his-first-term-cartwright-had-been-bold-enough-to-ask-him-why/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [Many who have learned from Hesiod the countless names of gods and monsters never understand that night and day are one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/many-who-have-learned-from-hesiod-the-countless-names-of-gods-and/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [“His breath is cool and fresh in the crisp morning air.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/his-breath-is-cool-and-fresh-in-the-crisp-morning-air/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [Homer and Hesiod attributed to the gods all things which are disreputable and worthy of blame when done by men; and they told of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/homer-and-hesiod-attributed-to-the-gods-all-things-which-are/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [God is greater than anything that man can do or has done. He is not undone by just a train of powder. "Our God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/god-is-greater-than-anything-that-man-can-do-or-has-done-he-is-not/) [Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [Many years ago I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, 'I am killing him - all for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/many-years-ago-i-was-fishing-and-as-i-was-reeling-in-the-poor-fish-i/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [Jazz is the music of the body. The breath comes through brass. It is the body's breath, and the strings' wails and moans are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/jazz-is-the-music-of-the-body-the-breath-comes-through-brass-it-is/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Breaths quotes > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Jazz is the music of the body. The breath comes through brass. It is the body's breath, and the strings' wails and moans are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/jazz-is-the-music-of-the-body-the-breath-comes-through-brass-it-is/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Many years ago I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, 'I am killing him - all for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/many-years-ago-i-was-fishing-and-as-i-was-reeling-in-the-poor-fish-i/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. 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I was embarrassed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/one-day-i-was-running-around-playing-with-my-son-connor-when/) [Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/) > [Dave Wann's recipes from his own experience in Simple Prosperity are a breath of fresh air, and just what we need for a saner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-henderson/dave-wann-s-recipes-from-his-own-experience-in-simple-prosperity-are/) [Hazel Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-henderson/) > [Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-our-blood-by-its-divine/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [Tic Tacs are the maracas of breath mints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/tic-tacs-are-the-maracas-of-breath-mints/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [The river is motion, turmoil, rage. 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But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/we-had-a-dog-apples-he-was-13-years-old-toothless-blind-and-had-the/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) [Browse all 1,609 Breaths quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaths/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plutarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breath-to-cool-his-pottage/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Breaths" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breath-to-cool-his-pottage/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f48/plutarch-597_breaths_hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breat_1231016.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.” — Plutarch", "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": "Plutarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Hesiod might as well have kept...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breath-to-cool-his-pottage/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/hesiod-might-as-well-have-kept-his-breath-to-cool-his-pottage/#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 } } ] } ```