“Stranger,” replied Eumaeus, “as regards your question: sit still, make yourself comfortable, drink your wine, and listen to me. The nights are now at their longest; there is plenty of time both for sleeping and sitting up talking together; you ought not to go to bed till bed time, too much sleep is as bad as too little; if any one of the others wishes to go to bed let him leave us and do so; he can then take my master’s pigs out when he has done breakfast in the morning. We too will sit here eating and drinking in the hut, and telling one another stories about our misfortunes; for when a man has suffered much, and been buffeted about in the world, he takes pleasure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have long gone by. As regards your question, then, my tale is as follows:Odyssey 15.34 · Odyssey · 15
Odyssey 15.34
Odyssey · translated by Samuel Butler
Themes in this passage
SufferingAnxietyPeaceAngerWisdomComfortLonelinessDesire
Suffering in other traditions
The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam address it.
The evil-doer suffers in this world, and he suffers in the next; he suffers in both. He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he suffers more when going on the evil path.Dhp 1.17 · Dhammapada · The Twin-Verses
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.Lamentations 3:19 · Bible · Lamentations
I will console this afflicted girl of face like the full moon, and suffering distress that she had never before endured, and ever meditating on her lord.’Mbh 3.68.1c · Mahabharata · VANA PARVA
Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If ye are suffering, lo! they suffer even as ye suffer and ye hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.Quran 4:104 · Quran · Women
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