„Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth,
our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.“

—  Homér Ancient Greek epic poet, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey 750
XVIII. 130–131 (tr. Robert Fagles). Cf. Iliad, XVII. 446–447. Samuel Butler's translation: : Man is the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth. Robert Fitzgerald's translation: : Of mortal creatures, all that breathe and move, earth bears none frailer than mankind.