--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Greeks shape bronze statues so real…" description: "\"“The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/virgil-1205_aeneid_the-greeks-shape-bronze-statues-so-real_913773.jpg" --- # The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to… ![“The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, and measure The heavens so well they can predict the rising of the stars. But you, Romans, remember your great arts; To govern the peoples with…” quote by Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/virgil-1205_aeneid_the-greeks-shape-bronze-statues-so-real_913773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/virgil-1205_aeneid_the-greeks-shape-bronze-statues-so-real_913773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/virgil-1205_aeneid_the-greeks-shape-bronze-statues-so-real_913773.jpg) > ““The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, and measure The heavens so well they can predict the rising of the stars. But you, Romans, remember your great arts; To govern the peoples with authority, To establish peace under the rule of law, To conquer the mighty, and show them mercy once they are conquered." -Virgil, Aeneid VI, 847-853”” [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. Romans should value law, governance, and mercy over artistic imitation, emphasizing civic duty and humane rule. **In simple terms:** Prioritize law, governance, and mercy. Key Takeaway Uphold justice and humane authority. Themes civic duty law leadership humanity Mood reflective inspirational Type historical political When to use this quote - government - military command - legal reform Key Concepts Roman virtue political philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders balance strength with compassion? - What laws best serve the common good? A Different Perspective Emphasizing mercy may conflict with harsh realities of conquest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aeneid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeneid/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Bronze Statues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bronze-statues-1360549/) [Epic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epic/) [Greek mythology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek-mythology/) [Greeks Compose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greeks-compose-1360551/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Romans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romans/) [Romans Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romans-remember-1360550/) [Rule of law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-of-law/) [Statues Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statues-real-1360552/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgil/) ## Related quotes > [“..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/) > [“The signs of the old flame, I know them well. I pray that the earth gape deep enough to take me down or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/the-signs-of-the-old-flame-i-know-them-well-i-pray-that-the-earth/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Death's brother, sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/death-s-brother-sleep/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Arma Virumque Cano (I sing of arms and of man) -The Aeneid”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeneas-middleton/arma-virumque-cano-i-sing-of-arms-and-of-man-the-aeneid/) [Aeneas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeneas-middleton/) > [“I am Aeneas, duty-bound, and known Above high air of heaven by my fame. -AM #CymruAMbyth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeneas-middleton/i-am-aeneas-duty-bound-and-known-above-high-air-of-heaven-by-my-fame/) [Aeneas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeneas-middleton/) > [“It is easy to go down into Hell...; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air---there's the rub...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/it-is-easy-to-go-down-into-hell-but-to-climb-back-again-to-retrace/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“ Fléctere si néqueo súperos Acheronta movebo - If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/fl-ctere-si-n-queo-s-peros-acheronta-movebo-if-i-cannot-move-heaven-i/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [She nourishes the poison in her veins and is consumed by a secret fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/she-nourishes-the-poison-in-her-veins-and-is-consumed-by-a-secret-fire/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“the dank night is sweeping down from the sky and the setting stars incline our heads to sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/the-dank-night-is-sweeping-down-from-the-sky-and-the-setting-stars/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“There's a snake hidden in the grass. Virgil. Ecologues,no. 3.1.1o8”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/there-s-a-snake-hidden-in-the-grass-virgil-ecologues-no-3-1-1o8/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“But the queen--too long she has suffered the pain of love, hour by hour nursing the wound with her lifeblood, consumed by the fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/but-the-queen-too-long-she-has-suffered-the-pain-of-love-hour-by-hour/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Arma virumque cano…." \*Literally: "I sing of arms and man". \_\_I sing the praises of a man's struggles\_\_” Translation of the opening verses of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/arma-virumque-cano-literally-i-sing-of-arms-and-man-i-sing-the-2/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“It was The Aeneid that had included the fascinating story of the Trojan Horse. Why anyone would accept a gift from a departing, defeated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasey-michaels/it-was-the-aeneid-that-had-included-the-fascinating-story-of-the/) [Kasey Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasey-michaels/) > [I have read the Aeneid through more often than I have read any long poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-have-read-the-aeneid-through-more-often-than-i-have-read-any-long/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [As a reader with next to no knowledge of classical mythology, I approached 'The Aeneid' just as I would a contemporary poem or novel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-rooney/as-a-reader-with-next-to-no-knowledge-of-classical-mythology-i/) [Sally Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-rooney/) ## 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 Aeneid quotes > [“..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/) > [She nourishes the poison in her veins and is consumed by a secret fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/she-nourishes-the-poison-in-her-veins-and-is-consumed-by-a-secret-fire/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“Arma Virumque Cano (I sing of arms and of man) -The Aeneid”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeneas-middleton/arma-virumque-cano-i-sing-of-arms-and-of-man-the-aeneid/) [Aeneas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeneas-middleton/) > [“The signs of the old flame, I know them well. I pray that the earth gape deep enough to take me down or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/the-signs-of-the-old-flame-i-know-them-well-i-pray-that-the-earth/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“I am Aeneas, duty-bound, and known Above high air of heaven by my fame. -AM #CymruAMbyth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeneas-middleton/i-am-aeneas-duty-bound-and-known-above-high-air-of-heaven-by-my-fame/) [Aeneas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeneas-middleton/) > [“Death's brother, sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/death-s-brother-sleep/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [As a reader with next to no knowledge of classical mythology, I approached 'The Aeneid' just as I would a contemporary poem or novel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-rooney/as-a-reader-with-next-to-no-knowledge-of-classical-mythology-i/) [Sally Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-rooney/) > [“It is easy to go down into Hell...; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air---there's the rub...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/it-is-easy-to-go-down-into-hell-but-to-climb-back-again-to-retrace/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“It was The Aeneid that had included the fascinating story of the Trojan Horse. Why anyone would accept a gift from a departing, defeated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasey-michaels/it-was-the-aeneid-that-had-included-the-fascinating-story-of-the/) [Kasey Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasey-michaels/) > [I have read the Aeneid through more often than I have read any long poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-have-read-the-aeneid-through-more-often-than-i-have-read-any-long/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“ Fléctere si néqueo súperos Acheronta movebo - If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/fl-ctere-si-n-queo-s-peros-acheronta-movebo-if-i-cannot-move-heaven-i/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) [Browse all 12 Aeneid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeneid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, and measure The heavens so well they can predict the rising of the stars. 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