"The gods have woven threads of death for all men."

"But death is universal. Even gods cannot protect the people that they love, when fate and cruel death catch up with them."

"Suffering is but another name for the teaching of experience, which is the parent of instruction and the schoolmaster of life."

"Man is the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth."

"Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans."