Badness you can get easily, in quantity: the road is smooth, and it lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vice is easy to find, but virtue requires hard work and persistence to achieve.
- In plain terms
- Doing bad is easy; doing good takes effort.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect hard work when pursuing excellence and do not give up.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is the path I chose worth the struggle?
- Am I avoiding necessary hard work?
Another view
Hard work does not always guarantee success or recognition.
More from Hesiod
He harms himself who does harm to another, and the evil plan is most harmful to the planner.
Permalink to quote #7 A bad neighbor is a misfortune, as much as a good one is a great blessing.
Permalink to quote #9 Often an entire city has suffered because of an evil man.
Permalink to quote #6
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