“One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man’s companions are few.”

Original: πολλοί τοι πόσιος καὶ βρώσιός εἰσιν ἑταῖροι, ἐν δὲ σπουδαίῳ πρήγματι παυρότεροι. — A sharp observation on the scarcity of true friends when matters grow serious. · Elegies, lines 115–116 (Greek)

• Character
• Friendship
• Trust

“The best of all things for earthly men is not to be born and not to see the beams of the bright sun; but if born, then as quickly as possible to pass the gates of Hades.”

Original: Πάντων μὲν μὴ φῦναι ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἄριστον, μηδ᾽ ἐσιδεῖν αὐγὰς ὀξέος ἠελίου. φύντα δ᾽ ὅπως ὤκιστα πύλας Ἀΐδαο περῆσαι καὶ κεῖσθαι πολλὴν γῆν ἐπαμησάμενον. — A stark expression of Greek pessimism about the burden of mortal existence. · Elegies, lines 425–428 (Greek)

• Despair
• Life
• Mortality

“What is beautiful is dear, and what is not beautiful is not dear.”

Original: ὅττι καλὸν φίλον ἐστί, τὸ δ’ οὐ καλὸν οὐ φίλον ἐστί — A proverbial saying on the natural bond between beauty and affection, presented as ancient divine wisdom. · Elegies, lines 15–18, reporting the song of the Muses and Graces (Greek)

• Beauty
• Love
• Wisdom