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    What is the source of the quotation "Against ignorance [even] the gods [themselves] strive in vain"?

    Question #68720. Asked by hectorb. (Jul 23 06 11:40 PM)


    gdec1

    		The men fought gallantly, but the stupidity of a Commanding General is a thing that the gods themselves
    strive against in vain.
    ANDERSONVILLE
    A STORY OF REBEL MILITARY PRISONS
    FIFTEEN MONTHS A GUEST OF THE SO-CALLED
    SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY A PRIVATE SOLDIERS EXPERIENCE IN
    RICHMOND, ANDERSONVILLE, SAVANNAH, MILLEN BLACKSHEAR AND FLORENCE
    BY JOHN McELROY Late of Co. L. 16th Ill Cav.1879

    http://www.dominiopublico.gov.br/download/texto/gu003072.pdf

    Jul 23 06, 11:55 PM
    hectorb

    		Thanks for the Civil War quote. It sounds a bit more like a reference to an existing phrase than the origin of the phrase - but it is better than anything else I have been able to find (which = 0!)

    Jul 25 06, 12:46 AM
    Noumpere

    		The earliest reference I've heard is Friedrich Schiller's 1801 historical play, about Joan of Arc, "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" (The Maid of Orleans), Act III.
    "Folly, thou conquerest, and I must yield! Against stupidity the very gods themselves contend in vain."
    (English translation from the original German)



    Feb 19 12, 4:47 PM

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