Quotes from Hesiod

Badness can be got easily and in shoals; the road to her is smooth, and she lives very near us. But between us and Goodness the gods have placed the sweat of our brows;

It is best to work, at whatever you have a talent for doing, without turning your greedy thought toward what some other man possesses, but take care of your own livelihood, as I advise you.

It is from work that men are rich in flocks and wealthy, and a working man is much dearer to the immortals

Do not piss as you stand and face the sun, but do it after the sun sets and before it rises, and even then do not be naked, for nights belong to the gods. ... Sire your children when you return from a feast of the gods, not when you return from an ill-omened burial. ... The sixth day of the month does not favor plants but is good for the birth of boys; it does not favor either the birth or the marriage of girls. But gelding of kids and lambs hurts less then.

It is fine to draw on what is on hand, and painful to have need and not have anything there; I warn you to be carful in this. When the bottle has just been opened, and when it's giving out, drink deep; be sparing when it's half-full; but it's useless to spare the fag end.

Better marry a maiden, so you can teach her good manners, and in particular marry one who lives close by you. Look her well over first. Don't marry what will make your neighbors laugh at you, for while there's nothing better a man can win him than a good wife, there's nothing more dismal than a bad one.

Never procrastinate. Never say you'll do it tomorrow or the next day. Slow workers never fill their barns. Neither do procrastinators. Diligence does the job.

A sparing tongue is the greatest treasure among men.

The ill design is most ill for the designer.

In front of excellence, the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.

When you deal with your brother, be pleasant, but get a witness.

Invite your friend to a feast, but leave your enemy alone; and especially invite the one who lives near you.

Neither make thy friend equal to a brother; but if thou shalt have made him so, be not the first to do him wrong.

Invite the man that loves thee to a feast, but let alone thine enemy