We know how to speak many falsehoods that resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things.
HesiodFor now indeed is the race of iron; and men never cease from labour and sorrow by day and from perishing by night.
HesiodAt the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.
HesiodEvil can be got very easily and exists in quantity: the road to her is very smooth, and she lives near by. But between us and virtue the gods have placed the sweat of our brows; the road to her is long and steep, and it is rough at first; but when a man has reached the top, then she is easy to attain, although before she was hard.
Hesiod