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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 87, lines 6–7 · Common to all, unjust to some
87.6
The Orphic Hymns 87.6 · Common to all, unjust to some
Death comes to everyone, but to some he comes unfairly, cutting short their youth.
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κοινὸς1
koinòs
common
μὲν2
mèn
—
πάντων3
pántōn
to all
, δʼ4
d’
but
ὑπάρχων5
hypárchōn
being
ἄδικος6
ádikos
unjust
ἐνίοισιν7
eníoisin
to some
, παύων8
paúōn
cutting short
νεοήλικας9
neoḗlikas
the youthful
ἀκμάς10
akmás
primepeak
ἐν11
en
in
ταχυτῆτι12
tachytêti
the swiftness
βίου13
bíou
of life
; common to all, but being unjust to some, cutting short the youthful prime in the swiftness of life;
common to all, but being unjust to some, cutting short the youthful prime in the swiftness of life;
Interpretation
common to all, but unjust to some, cutting short the prime of the young in the swiftness of life;
Here the hymn says plainly what Greek gravestones often say of those who died young: Death comes to everyone, but to some too soon. Such people were called aōroi, "untimely," and many verse epitaphs speak for a young man or woman taken in the prime of life. The hymn calls Death adikos, the ordinary word for "unjust," even while it prays to him.
87.8
The Orphic Hymns 87.8 · Unmoved by prayers
What is decided for each person is completed in Death alone, and he cannot be persuaded by prayers.
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for in you alone what has been decided for all is fulfilled; for you alone are persuaded neither by prayers nor by entreaties.