The myth of Virtue and Evil (The choice of Hercules)

The myth was saved by Xenophon, and tells us the incident when Hercules, at a very young age, sitting at a crossroads, saw two beautiful girls passing in front of him.

One showed him an easy path, wide and straight, which if he followed, he would enjoy life, but he would do a lot of bad deeds that would condemn him to the judgment of men. That was Evil. The other daughter, Areti (Virtue), showed him a difficult road, full of sharp stones and thorns, narrow and rough, which he would have a hard time walking, but would in the end win the recognition of his fellow men. So Hercules followed Virtue, preferring to suffer to cross her rough road, but to know glory and honor through his good deeds and virtue.

“One day, when Hercules was still a young man, he was sitting at a quiet crossroads, thinking about which road to take in life.

The path of struggle and giving to people or the path of fun and pleasure?

Then it seemed to him that two women approached him. One was dressed simply without any ornaments, while the other was dressed very nicely and had many ornaments. She spoke first to Hercules and said to him:

-Hercules, you are the strongest man on earth. You can grab whatever you want without ever working. If you follow me, the path of your life will be very easy and pleasant. You will effortlessly enjoy many pleasures and entertainments.

-Who are you? Hercules asked her.

-My friends call me Eftihia (Hapiness) and my enemies call me Kakia (Evil), she replied.

The other woman then approached.

-Hercules, she said to him, my name is Areti (Virtue). If you follow my path, your life will be full of hardships and struggles but good works as well. With the power that the gods have given you, you will benefit people and they will love and honour you.

Hercules decided to use his power to help people. That is why he chose the path of Virtue.”

Xenophon, Memoirs, (adaptation)