One omen is best: defend your home.

What it means

When a seer reads a bad sign in the birds, Hector waves it away. He does not need signs to know what is right. Some duties are clear enough without waiting for permission.

The source

"One omen is best: defend your home." Homer said it in Iliad 12.243. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ πάτρης."

Original Greek, Iliad 12.243. Text read at github.com.

Who said it

Homer (c. 8th century BC). The poet of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the war at Troy and the long sail home. Greeks learned courage, endurance and the sea from his lines.

Questions

What does "One omen is best: defend your home." mean?

When a seer reads a bad sign in the birds, Hector waves it away. He does not need signs to know what is right. Some duties are clear enough without waiting for permission.

Who said "One omen is best: defend your home."?

Homer (c. 8th century BC). Source: Iliad 12.243.

What is the original Greek?

εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ πάτρης. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

Is "One omen is best: defend your home." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"One omen is best: defend your home." (Homer, Iliad 12.243, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/one-omen-is-best-defend-your-home