“Master your tremendous pride, Achilles. You have no need to be so stubborn. Even the gods themselves, for all their greater majesty, honour and power, are capable of being swayed. When someone has gone too far and done wrong, they supplicate gods with sacrifice and soft prayers, libations and burnt-offerings, to turn them from their anger. There are goddesses of supplication, Litae, daughters of almighty Zeus. These Litae are wrinkled creatures, limping, eyes askance, who make it their business to pursue Delusion. But Delusion is strong and sure-footed, because she is quick enough to leave them all behind. Roaming the world, Delusion brings mankind to grief. But the Litae come after and put the trouble right. The man who respects these daughters of Zeus when they approach him is greatly blessed by them, and they listen to his prayers. But when a man hardens his heart and rebuffs them, they go and supplicate Zeus, asking that Delusion accompany the man so that he comes to grief and pays the price.”
- Phoenix in his speech to Achilles from The Iliad by Homer (translation by E.V. Rieu, revised by Jr. Rieu and Peter Jones)
I am reading The Iliad, and it has been interesting so far. To read their speeches during the war is a few steps ahead than just knowing the main characters through the movie or earlier read information on websites. The characters, their speeches, outbursts and other elements of the story/book are so analogous to the modern times and I keep comparing the IT industry (or could rather be any workplace) hierarchy with the Greek/Trojan camps. A disgruntled employee thundering at his superior questioning his expertise, calling him a pig, and stating that all others are work hard whereas it is the superior who reaps benefits.
