Works and Days (30-40)

Little concern has he with quarrels and courts who has not a year's victuals laid up betimes, even that which the earth bears, Demeter's grain. When you have got plenty of that, you can raise disputes and strive to get another's goods. But you shall have no second chance

to deal so again: nay, let us settle our dispute here with true judgement which is of Zeus and is perfect. For we had already divided our inheritance, but you seized the greater share and carried it off, greatly swelling the glory of our bribe-swallowing lords who love to judge such a cause as this.

Fools! They know not how much more the half is than the whole, nor what great advantage there is in mallow and asphodel.[*] For the gods keep hidden from men the means of life. Else you would easily do work enough in a day to supply you for a full year even without working;