“Damocles is a character who appears in a anecdote commonly referred to as “the Sword of Damocles”, an allusion to the imminent and ever-present peril faced by those in positions of power."
According to the story, Damocles was pandering to his king, Dionysius, exclaiming that Dionysius was truly fortunate as a great man of power and authority, surrounded by magnificence. In response, Dionysius offered to switch places with Damocles for one day so that Damocles could taste that very fortune firsthand. Damocles quickly and eagerly accepted the king’s proposal. Damocles sat on the king’s throne, surrounded by every luxury, but Dionysius, who had made many enemies during his reign, arranged that a sword should hang above the throne, held at the pommel only by a single hair of a horse’s tail to evoke the sense of what it is like to be king: Though having much fortune, always having to watch in fear and anxiety against dangers that might try to overtake him. Damocles finally begged the king that he be allowed to depart because he no longer wanted to be so fortunate, realizing that with great fortune and power comes also great danger.
My husband’s dad would bring home olive and onion sticks from all of his business trips and give them to him. He was always excited when his dad got home to see what new variety of cocktail sword or stick he’d receive. Then he brought his cache to school for ‘Show and Tell’. Oops…
mwksix almost 4 years ago
I guess that we still have to wait for the tiny umbrella of Damocles….
jreckard almost 4 years ago
There’s not much of a point to this one.
gammaguy almost 4 years ago
What about the sword (or cocktail) of John Cleese?
robnvon Premium Member almost 4 years ago
But he was wise enough to drink of any cocktail served in a glass of that size. “Go ahead with that thin thread” were his last words.
jr1234 almost 4 years ago
“Damocles is a character who appears in a anecdote commonly referred to as “the Sword of Damocles”, an allusion to the imminent and ever-present peril faced by those in positions of power."
eyeducmike almost 4 years ago
Uh sure. Right.
coorskid_71 almost 4 years ago
According to the story, Damocles was pandering to his king, Dionysius, exclaiming that Dionysius was truly fortunate as a great man of power and authority, surrounded by magnificence. In response, Dionysius offered to switch places with Damocles for one day so that Damocles could taste that very fortune firsthand. Damocles quickly and eagerly accepted the king’s proposal. Damocles sat on the king’s throne, surrounded by every luxury, but Dionysius, who had made many enemies during his reign, arranged that a sword should hang above the throne, held at the pommel only by a single hair of a horse’s tail to evoke the sense of what it is like to be king: Though having much fortune, always having to watch in fear and anxiety against dangers that might try to overtake him. Damocles finally begged the king that he be allowed to depart because he no longer wanted to be so fortunate, realizing that with great fortune and power comes also great danger.
mpk94 almost 4 years ago
Thanks ! That helps.
StratmanRon almost 4 years ago
Maybe a cartoon concept Scott came up with during happy hour?…
Zebrastripes almost 4 years ago
One dip or two? Ugh
Michael G. almost 4 years ago
I prefer the tale of Damon and Runyan.
WCraft Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I’d be like: Please break, please break – I really want that big olive!
zeexenon almost 4 years ago
No garbage in mine please. I’m cutting back.
zeexenon almost 4 years ago
Oh, yes, just so it doesn’t go wasted, give it to my pal Paris who has a beef against Achilles.
Lablubber almost 4 years ago
The bartender here is really good at mixing metaphors.
Ukko wilko almost 4 years ago
Could we please stop with the Far Side promo pop ups already?
Ukko wilko almost 4 years ago
Could we please stop with the Far Side promo pop ups already?
Bilan almost 4 years ago
The philosophical question here is, can you enjoy the perfect martini knowing that a lemon wedge may fall into it and ruin it?
cheap_day_return almost 4 years ago
Hey Damocles! How’s it goin’? “Oh, hangin’ in there, ya know…”
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Shouldn’t that be “The Beer of Damocles”? The sword was hanging over his head, after all.
clk688 almost 4 years ago
My husband’s dad would bring home olive and onion sticks from all of his business trips and give them to him. He was always excited when his dad got home to see what new variety of cocktail sword or stick he’d receive. Then he brought his cache to school for ‘Show and Tell’. Oops…