Quotes from book
Olympic Odes


Pindar photo

“Days to come will prove the surest witness.”

ἁμέραι δ᾽ ἐπίλοιποι
μάρτυρες σοφώτατοι.
Olympian 1, line 33-4; page 4
Olympian Odes (476 BC)

Pindar photo

“Best blessing of all is water, And gold like a fiery flame gleaming at night,
Supreme amidst the pride of lordly wealth.”

Ἄριστον μὲν ὕδωρ, ὁ δὲ χρυσὸς αἰθόμενον πῦρ ἅτε διαπρέπει
νυκτὶ μεγάνορος ἔξοχα πλούτου.
Olympian 1, line 1-2; page 1
Closer translation:
Best is water, but gold stands out blazing like fire
at night beyond haughty wealth.
Olympian Odes (476 BC)

Pindar photo

“Whoever knows many things
By nature is a poet.”

Olympian 2, line 87; page 16; the Greek simply says:
"wise is one who knows much by nature," but σοφός is Pindar's usual word for poet.
Variant translations:
Inborn of nature's wisdom
The poet's truth.
Olympian Odes (476 BC)

Pindar photo

“But if a man shall hope in aught he does
To escape the eyes of god, he makes an error.”

Olympian 1, line 63; page 6
Olympian Odes (476 BC)

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