39 Greek Mythology Quotes

Greek mythology is a treasure trove of timeless stories, profound wisdom, and captivating characters that have fascinated humanity for centuries. These ancient tales offer not only thrilling adventures and complex characters but also a wealth of quotes that continue to inspire and provoke thought. As we dive into this curated collection of the top 39 Greek mythology quotes, prepare to explore the profound insights and timeless lessons encapsulated in the words of gods, heroes, and philosophers from one of history's most influential cultures. Whether you're a mythology enthusiast or seeking inspiration, these quotes promise to offer a compelling glimpse into the enduring legacy of Greek myth.

1. “Nothing shall part us in our love till Thanatos (Death) at his appointed hour removed us from the light of day.” - Apollonius Rhodius

2. “Apollo, sacred guard of earth's true core, Whence first came frenzied, wild prophetic word...” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

3. “Zeus, first cause, prime mover; for what thing without Zeus is done among mortals?” - Aeschylus

4. “In Poetry class, Professor Sappho teaches us how to compose love ballads. She's a swell teacher and all but I'm not sure I understand her. She's always going on and on about her weekend trips with the other goddesses to the island of Lesbos.” - Tai Odunsi

5. “Since my trips to Earth, I've only managed to assemble a few basics facts about humans, condensing them in to four, overall points: kids got Reese's, teens got recess, adults got recessions, and seniors got receding.” - Tai Odunsi

6. “She wore an A-line bridal gown with a V-shaped neckline while Apollo playing Bach's Air on the G string.” - Tai Odunsi

7. “Even Cronus, the Titan who literally had his kids for breakfast, would find these facts hard to swallow.” - Tai Odunsi

8. “This coming from the god who zinged Guinevere and Lancelot while King Arthur was away slaying dragons.” - Tai Odunsi

9. “In Springtime, O Dionysos,To thy holy temple come,To Elis with thy Graces,Rushing with thy bull-foot, come,Noble Bull, Noble Bull” - Plutarch

10. “Psyche did not think the feeling running through her could exist, it was too powerful, too profound and pierced her soul in a way that was a beautiful agony.” - Jasmine Dubroff

11. “Do you think you might be able to love me someday?" He asked and heard her laugh softly."I already do." She said and his soul soared. "So this is what the poets write about? This is what they call love?" She asked."Yes my love." He said softly."They do not do it justice." She stated and he laughed."I agree." He told her as he held her, wondering how this could be real.” - Jasmine Dubroff

12. “The Greek gods had personalities like those of humans and struggled with one another for position and power. They did not love humans (although some had favorites) and did not ask to be loved by them. They did not impose codes of behavior. They expected respect and honor but coud act contrary to human needs and desires.” - Barry B. Powell

13. “They sent forth men to battle, But no such men return; And home, to claim their welcome, Come ashes in an urn” - Aeschylus

14. “Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s chat.”Chat. British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you.” - Priya Ardis

15. “Matt was almost completely naked. A tattered loincloth and an ugly chain with a yellow diamond were his only apparel.” - Priya Ardis

16. “I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.” - Priya Ardis

17. “Rough palms cradled my face while my fingers gripped the pillow on either side of his. Lips, teeth, tongue, mingled together. I ate him up and didn’t let go until I had to come up for air.” - Priya Ardis

18. “Im Geiste rückte Helen noch näher an das Liebespaar heran, obwohl sie längst wusste, wen die andere Helen gerade küsste. Lucas. Er hatte ein Schwert am Gürtel und war seltsam gekleidet. Er trug Sandalen und seien Hände waren mit abgewetzten Lederstreifen, über denen er Bronzehandschuhe trug. Doch es war eindeutig Lucas. Das bewies auch sein Lachen, als die andere Helen ihn mit Küssen überschüttete.” - Josephine Angelini

19. “...She nourishes the poison in her veins and is consumed by a secret fire.” - Virgil

20. “Do you think we can be friends?” I asked.He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend.” - Priya Ardis

21. “He’d used the amulet to read my thoughts again. I pictured smacking him in the face.” - Priya Ardis

22. “I noticed him right away. No, it wasn’t his lean, rugged face. Or the dark waves of shiny hair that hung just a little too long on his forehead. It wasn’t the slim, collarless biker jacket he wore, hugging his lean shoulders. It was the way he stood. The confident way he waited in the cafeteria line to get a slice of pizza. He didn’t saunter. He didn’t amble. He stood at the center, and let the other people buzz around him. His stance was straight and sure.” - Priya Ardis

23. “All is as if the world did cease to exist. The city's monuments go unseen, its past unheard, and its culture slowly fading in the dismal sea.” - Nathan Reese Maher

24. “I can’t help but ask, “Do you know where you are?”She turns to me with a foreboding glare. “Do you?” - Nathan Reese Maher

25. “Did Bach ever eatpancakes at midnight?” - Nathan Reese Maher

26. “I steal one glance over my shoulder as soon as we are far from the foreboding luminance of the neon glow, and it is there that my stomach leaps into my throat. Squatting just shy of the light and partially concealed by the shade of an alley is a sinister silhouette beneath a crimson cowl, beaming a demonic smile which spans from cheek to swollen cheek.” - Nathan Reese Maher

27. “There is a stillness between us, a period of restlessness that ties my stomachin a hangman’s noose. It is this same lack in noise that lives, there! in thedarkness of the grave, how it frightens me beyond all things.” - Nathan Reese Maher

28. “She leaves my side and heads deeper intothe apartment singing, “—if the spirit tries to hide, its temple far away… acopper for those they ask, a diamond for those who stay.” - Nathan Reese Maher

29. “That’s a stupid name! Whirly-gig is much better, I think. Who in their rightmind would point at this thing and say, ‘I’m going to fly in my Model-A1’.People would much rather say, ‘Get in my whirly-gig’. And that’s what youshould name it.” - Nathan Reese Maher

30. “Do we not each dream of dreams? Do we not dance on the notes of lostmemories? Then are we not each dreamers of tomorrow and yesterday, since dreamsplay when time is askew? Are we not all adrift in the constant sea of trial and when all is done, do we not all yearn for ships to carry us home?” - Nathan Reese Maher

31. “History doesn’t start with a tall buildingand a card with your name written on it, but jokes do. I think someone is takingus for suckers and is playing a mean game.” - Nathan Reese Maher

32. “I think I *was* the lightning.” - Amy Leigh Strickland

33. “Kerényi was as aware as anybody today of the territorial limits of Greek myths and of the non-importability of Hermes. He writes: “In his ‘such-ness,’ he is an historical fact that cannot, by strict and honest historical means, be reduced to something else: neither to a concept, to a ‘power,’ nor to a ‘spirit’ – a gravestone or signpost spirit – not even to an idea that would not contain in a nutshell everything that Hermes’ ‘such-ness’ constitutes.” …Working more in Hermes’ own sleight of hand way, Kerényi is soon saying things like this: “If a god is ‘idea’ and ‘world,’ he remains nonetheless in connection with the world that contains all such ‘worlds’; he can only be an ‘aspect of the world,’ while the world of which he is an aspect possesses such idea-aspects.” Now, if you will let Kerényi get away with a statement like that – and I hope you will – you will end up owning the Brooklyn Bridge. … Kerényi’s Hermes is the only one that is going to rob you or enrich you, enlighten you or screw you. …“Guide of Souls” is the usual translation given to the Hermes-epithet “Psychopompos” and it refers to his role as the god who leads souls into the underworld when they die. But πομπóς (still present in every French funeral store’s “Pompes funèbres” description of itself) is more than guide, and even more than guide to the underworld. It means to lead, but Hermes as leader is not quite right either. It means something more like to lead on. Hermes is the god who “leads you on.” … This means he is deceiving you, taking advantage of your gullibility, “taking you for a ride.” That, however, is how Hermes works, and how he gets your soul to move anywhere, how he gets you to budge even a hair off whatever you’re in … .… Go ahead and buy the Brooklyn Bridge from this man. Be had. Be incorrect. Be foolish. You pay with your soul for this kind of reading. And Hermes does not take plastic.” - Karl Kerényi

34. “Alecto was the oldest, unceasing in anger. Magaera was next, retaliator of jealousy, and Tisiphone, the last, regarded as the avenger of murder.” - Elisabeth Naughton

35. “THE MARK OF ATHENA BABY!!!!!!” - Rick Riordan

36. “So, Ariadne was the babe with the ball of twine and the plan.” - Claire Cross

37. “I believe in prophetic speech . . . still. I believe in Cassandra, I believe in Electra and in the charming Antigone. . . . For me, they’re more alive than the [Institute for] Intellectual Cooperation and its choice group of old men.” - Gabriella Mistral

38. “Tragedy is born of myth, not morality. Prometheus and Icarus are tragic heroes. Yet none of the myths in which they appear has anything to do with moral dilemmas. Nor have the greatest Greek tragedies. If Euripides is the most tragic of the Greek playwrights, it is not because he deals with moral conflicts but because he understood that reason cannot be the guide of life.” - john gray

39. “It grew louder, siren crying from her the depth of very voice; Sweet melodies toguide me to the underworld.” - Chika Onyenezi