Was there but one kind of strife upon the earth?
No, there are two. A man who came to know the first
would applaud; the second he would blame. They are
two souls. One fosters evil war and ceaseless fights;
Her no mortal loves, but under force and through
will of deathless gods, men honor heavy strife.
But indeed, the other one dark Night birthed first.
Heaven dwelling Zeus, who sits on high, placed her
in the roots of earth. Much better to man is she:
rousing work in all alike - the lazy too -
for a man craves work when he sees another rich -
of a truth it urges him to plow for crops,
building well his home; neighbor with neighbor strives
goading on to wealth. This strife is good for men.
Potter to potter, carpenter with carpenter
grudges, beggar envies beggar, and poets too resent.
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