A review by raoul_g
Works and Days by Hesiod

3.0

Works and Days by Hesiod is a poem from Classical Antiquity. It has a special place in the history of literature as Hesiod is the first self-styled poet in Western literature. In it one can find at times stories of ancient Greek mythology, at times philosophical advice the author is giving his brother, all in poetic form. A.E. Stallings did a superb job with the English translations.

The values Hesiod has, shine through the text in many different places:
He is irritated by the corruption he sees, and hopes for justice:

I would not be an honest man, not now,
Nor wish it for my son – when I see how
It’s evil to be honest in a land
Where crooks and schemers have the upper hand.
I still have hopes this isn’t what Zeus planned.

He is an advocate for living peacefully with the people around oneself:

He harms himself who harms another man;
The plotter is the worst hurt by the plan.

Rationality and willingness to learn are important to Hesiod:

That man is best
Who thinks for himself, and puts all to the test
To weigh the ends and outcomes. It will suffice
Even to heed another’s good advice.
But he who can’t think for himself, nor once
Learn from another, is a useless dunce.

He instructs those who want to be wealthy to work hard:

But if it’s wealth you long for in your chest,
Then do this: work on work and never rest.