--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I fear the Greeks, even when they bring…" description: "\"I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.\" — Virgil" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg" --- # I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts. ![“I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.” quote by Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg) > “I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.” [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that even seemingly generous offers may hide danger. **In simple terms:** Beware gifts that seem too good. Key Takeaway Question motives before accepting. Themes trust deception war politics Mood cautious skeptical Type warning literary When to use this quote - diplomacy - business negotiations - personal relationships Key Concepts mythology political strategy Questions to Reflect On - What hidden agenda might a gift carry? - How can you protect yourself from deceptive generosity? A Different Perspective Not all gifts are sincere; some conceal ulterior motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bring Gifts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bring-gifts-1262945/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Greeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-greeks-1262943/) [Greeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greeks/) [Greeks Bring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greeks-bring-1262944/) ## Related quotes > [From one learn all. I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/from-one-learn-all-i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Don't trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts. -Equo ne credite, Teucri. Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/don-t-trust-the-horse-trojans-whatever-it-is-i-fear-the-greeks-even/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [People want to be a part of an organization that lets them be fully alive and bring their gifts to work. People really do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/people-want-to-be-a-part-of-an-organization-that-lets-them-be-fully/) [Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/) > [“Everyone you meet is a part of your journey, but not all of them are meant to stay in your life. Some people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/everyone-you-meet-is-a-part-of-your-journey-but-not-all-of-them-are/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [Do not feel discouraged by all the challenges and hardships you might face. I ask you not to forget that, like those who came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-feel-discouraged-by-all-the-challenges-and-hardships-you-might/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Even our most difficult moments bring us gifts. The trick, of course, is gratitude. Therein will you find both your peace and your joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/even-our-most-difficult-moments-bring-us-gifts-the-trick-of-course-is/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [The Cicada sing an endless song in the long grass, smells run along the earth and falling stars run over the sky, like tears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isak-dinesen/the-cicada-sing-an-endless-song-in-the-long-grass-smells-run-along/) [Isak Dinesen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isak-dinesen/) > [I had several moms who knew and didn't bring gifts for the baby and instead brought me food, candles, journals - the women who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-diane-raphael/i-had-several-moms-who-knew-and-didn-t-bring-gifts-for-the-baby-and/) [June Diane Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-diane-raphael/) > [People come here penniless but not cultureless. They bring us gifts. We can synthesize the best of our traditions with the best of theirs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pipher/people-come-here-penniless-but-not-cultureless-they-bring-us-gifts-we/) [Mary Pipher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pipher/) > [Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/beware-of-greeks-bearing-gifts/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Even the Greeks—the so called champions of democracy—voted without ever allowing a single woman into the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/even-the-greeks-the-so-called-champions-of-democracy-voted-without/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [Style is a fraud. I always felt the Greeks were hiding behind their columns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-de-kooning/style-is-a-fraud-i-always-felt-the-greeks-were-hiding-behind-their/) [Willem de Kooning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-de-kooning/) > [The vast majority of Greeks accept the need for reform and want to keep our country inside the euro zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangelos-venizelos/the-vast-majority-of-greeks-accept-the-need-for-reform-and-want-to/) [Evangelos Venizelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangelos-venizelos/) > [For the Greeks, there was no single canonical version of creation, but a number of overlapping stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macgregor/for-the-greeks-there-was-no-single-canonical-version-of-creation-but/) [Neil MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macgregor/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Virgil > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Facilis descensus Averni: noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis; sed revocare gradium superasque evadere ad auras. hoc opus, hic labor est.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/facilis-descensus-averni-noctes-atque-dies-patet-atri-ianua-ditis-sed/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [The descent to the infernal regions is easy enough, but to retrace one's steps, and reach the air above, there's the rub.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/the-descent-to-the-infernal-regions-is-easy-enough-but-to-retrace-one/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [If I am unable to make the gods above relent, I shall move hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/if-i-am-unable-to-make-the-gods-above-relent-i-shall-move-hell/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Such is the love of praise, so great the anxiety for victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/such-is-the-love-of-praise-so-great-the-anxiety-for-victory/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Spare the meek, but subdue the arrogant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/spare-the-meek-but-subdue-the-arrogant/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [We have to thank God for this retirement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-have-to-thank-god-for-this-retirement/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“..and why the winter suns so rush to bathe themselves in the sea and what slows down the nights to a long lingering crawl...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/and-why-the-winter-suns-so-rush-to-bathe-themselves-in-the-sea-and/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit. and perhaps it will be pleasing to have remembered these things one day”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/forsan-et-haec-olim-meminisse-iuvabit-and-perhaps-it-will-be-pleasing/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/timeo-danaos-et-dona-ferentes/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [The Britons are quite separated from all the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/the-britons-are-quite-separated-from-all-the-world/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [One man excels in eloquence, another in arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/one-man-excels-in-eloquence-another-in-arms/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“But the Danaan princes and Agamemnon’s battalions, soon as they saw the man and his arms flashing amid the glom, trembled with mighty fear;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/but-the-danaan-princes-and-agamemnon-s-battalions-soon-as-they-saw/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“What a tale he's told, what a bitter bowl of war he's drunk to the dregs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/what-a-tale-he-s-told-what-a-bitter-bowl-of-war-he-s-drunk-to-the/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Non ignora mali, miseris succurrere disco.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/non-ignora-mali-miseris-succurrere-disco/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) [Explore all 273 Virgil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Virgil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/virgil-1205_fear_i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-g_2522307.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.” — Virgil", "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": "Virgil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I fear the Greeks, even when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/i-fear-the-greeks-even-when-they-bring-gifts/#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 } } ] } ```