But now, Achilles, beat down your mounting fury!
It’s wrong to have such an iron, ruthless heart.
Even the gods themselves can bend and change,
and theirs is the greater power, honor, strength.
Even the gods, I say, with incense, soothing vows,
with full cups poured and the deep smoky savor
men can bring them round, begging for pardon
when one oversteps the mark, does something wrong.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 9, lines 601-608. Phoenix, a member of the embassy send by Agamemnon to persuade Achilles to return to battle, tells the Greek warrior to temper his rage. He accuses him of having an iron and ruthless heart, pointing out that even the gods when they do wrong can bend and change.