Of Homer's many good sayings and admonitions not a few afterward have been paraphrased. Some examples of these should find a place here; as the following passage of Homer (I. xv. 104):—
Fools are we all, who madly strive with Jove,
Or hope, by access to his throne, to sway
By word or deed his course! From all apart,
He all our counsels heeds not, but derides!
And boasts o'er all the immortal gods to reign.
Prepare, then, each his several woes to bear.
Like this is a saying of Pythagoras:—
Whatever pains mortals have from the gods, whatever fate
thou hast, bear it nor murmur.
And also these words of Euripides:—
Nor is it fitting to be indignant at events, no good comes
of it; but when things go wrong, if one bears them right,
they do go well.
Again Homer says (I. xxiv. 128):—
How long, my son, wilt thou thy soul consume with grief
and mourning?
So Pythagoras:—
Spare thy life, do not wear out thy soul.