--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly…" description: "\"I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder up the slope if only, each time it rolled back down, I were given a line of Aeschylus.\" — Tom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png" --- # I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder… ![“I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder up the slope if only, each time it rolled back down, I were given a line of Aeschylus.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png) > “I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder up the slope if only, each time it rolled back down, I were given a line of Aeschylus.” [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Enduring endless effort can become meaningful when paired with art or insight. **In simple terms:** Hard work feels worthwhile with inspiration. Key Takeaway Find meaning in repetitive tasks. Themes perseverance art existentialism Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - creative work - academic research - personal projects - daily chores Key Concepts Absurdism mythology literature Questions to Reflect On - How does art change your view of repetitive work? - What line would you choose? A Different Perspective Even with art, monotony can still feel draining. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boulders/) [Hades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hades/) [Sisyphus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sisyphus/) ## Related quotes > [“For many men value appearances more than reality—thus they violate what’s right. Everyone’s prepared to sigh over some suffering man, though no sorrow really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/for-many-men-value-appearances-more-than-reality-thus-they-violate/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [Archimedes will be remembered when Aeschylus is forgotten, because languages die and mathematical ideas do not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/archimedes-will-be-remembered-when-aeschylus-is-forgotten-because-2/) [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) > [“Αἰσχύλον Εὐφορίωνος Ἀθηναῖον τόδε κεύθει μνῆμα καταφθίμενον πυροφόροιο Γέλας· ἀλκὴν δ' εὐδόκιμον Μαραθώνιον ἄλσος ἂν εἴποι καὶ βαθυχαιτήεις Μῆδος ἐπιστάμενο This gravestone covers Aeschylus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/this-gravestone-covers-aeschylus-son-of-euphorion-from-athens-who/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [“Is it possible that the Pentateuch could not have been written by uninspired men? that the assistance of God was necessary to produce these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/is-it-possible-that-the-pentateuch-could-not-have-been-written-by/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times  Aeschylus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-b-chopra/happiness-is-a-choice-that-requires-effort-at-times-aeschylus/) [Deena B. Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-b-chopra/) > [“Greeks heard the poems read on stage while a group of dancers performed. Then a clever poet called Aeschylus came along and had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-deary/greeks-heard-the-poems-read-on-stage-while-a-group-of-dancers/) [Terry Deary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-deary/) > [In war, truth is the first casualty. -Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-war-truth-is-the-first-casualty-aeschylus/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For ever, I shall be a stranger to myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/for-ever-i-shall-be-a-stranger-to-myself/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Thinking is learning all over again how to see, directing one's consciousness, making of every image a privileged place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/thinking-is-learning-all-over-again-how-to-see-directing-one-s/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [...Any authentic creation is a gift to the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/any-authentic-creation-is-a-gift-to-the-future/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“But the way an eloi has to darken her eyelashes every morning, cover her skin with colored cream, powder her nose and forehead all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-sinisalo/but-the-way-an-eloi-has-to-darken-her-eyelashes-every-morning-cover/) [Johanna Sinisalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-sinisalo/) > [This divorce between man and his life, the actor and his setting, is properly the feeling of absurdity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/this-divorce-between-man-and-his-life-the-actor-and-his-setting-is/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [What I believe to be true I must therefore preserve. What seems to me so obvious, even against me, I must support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/what-i-believe-to-be-true-i-must-therefore-preserve-what-seems-to-me/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [All systems of morality are based on the idea that an action has consequences that legitimize or cancel it. A mind imbued with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/all-systems-of-morality-are-based-on-the-idea-that-an-action-has/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Hades is evolved to the highest state of simplicity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-ledgard/hades-is-evolved-to-the-highest-state-of-simplicity/) [J. M. Ledgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-ledgard/) ## More by Tom Stoppard > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) [Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More Aeschylus quotes > [“Αἰσχύλον Εὐφορίωνος Ἀθηναῖον τόδε κεύθει μνῆμα καταφθίμενον πυροφόροιο Γέλας· ἀλκὴν δ' εὐδόκιμον Μαραθώνιον ἄλσος ἂν εἴποι καὶ βαθυχαιτήεις Μῆδος ἐπιστάμενο This gravestone covers Aeschylus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/this-gravestone-covers-aeschylus-son-of-euphorion-from-athens-who/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [“Greeks heard the poems read on stage while a group of dancers performed. Then a clever poet called Aeschylus came along and had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-deary/greeks-heard-the-poems-read-on-stage-while-a-group-of-dancers/) [Terry Deary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-deary/) > [In war, truth is the first casualty. -Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-war-truth-is-the-first-casualty-aeschylus/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times  Aeschylus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-b-chopra/happiness-is-a-choice-that-requires-effort-at-times-aeschylus/) [Deena B. Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-b-chopra/) > [“Is it possible that the Pentateuch could not have been written by uninspired men? that the assistance of God was necessary to produce these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/is-it-possible-that-the-pentateuch-could-not-have-been-written-by/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [Archimedes will be remembered when Aeschylus is forgotten, because languages die and mathematical ideas do not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/archimedes-will-be-remembered-when-aeschylus-is-forgotten-because-2/) [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) > [“For many men value appearances more than reality—thus they violate what’s right. Everyone’s prepared to sigh over some suffering man, though no sorrow really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/for-many-men-value-appearances-more-than-reality-thus-they-violate/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) Browse all 8 Aeschylus quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder up the slope if only, each time it rolled back down, I were given a line of Aeschylus.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Stoppard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladly-push-my-boulder-up-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aeschylus" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladly-push-my-boulder-up-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19c/tom-stoppard-437_aeschylus_i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladl_2483835.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would join Sisyphus in Hades and gladly push my boulder up the slope if only, each time it rolled back…” — Tom Stoppard", "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": "Tom Stoppard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I would join Sisyphus in Hades...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladly-push-my-boulder-up-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-would-join-sisyphus-in-hades-and-gladly-push-my-boulder-up-the/#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 } } ] } ```