Quote by Hesiod: “Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.”

This quote highlights the value of effort and diligence, suggesting that productive labor brings honor, while being lazy or unproductive is truly shameful. It encourages everyone to contribute and find purpose through their work, rather than avoiding it.

Composed during the Greek Dark Ages or early Archaic period, society was largely agrarian, navigating questions of justice, labor, and divine order after a period of instability. Hesiod's works sought to establish ethical principles for human conduct.

Ancient Greek poet who was active around 700 BCE and is considered one of the two earliest Greek poets whose work survives, alongside Homer. His two major works — Theogony and Works and Days — address the origins of the gods and practical moral guidance for daily life. He was one of the first Greek writers to speak in his own voice.