Delphic Maxim of the Week, 2/6/2023

Do not make fun of the dead | Ἐπὶ νεκρῷ μὴ γέλα

This week’s Delphic Maxim is, Do not make fun of the dead | Ἐπὶ νεκρῷ μὴ γέλα.

It is said that about the dead the noble speaks no ill word. Mocking the dead is greatly displeasing to the Gods and will incur their wrath upon you. You do not have to lie, when someone dies and claim falsely how noble they were, when it was not so. But you shall not mock and slander the dead. They have had their life, and all quarrel with them ended. If you cannot respect someone who is dead, because they were too depraved and evil, ignore them and forget their memory, but do not mock the dead.