The text explores the tension between human excellence and the role of luck in Greek ethical thought. Pindar's poetry illustrates how human virtue is both a personal achievement and shaped by external factors, such as fortune and social circumstances. The vine-tree metaphor highlights the fragility of human excellence, which depends on external nourishment and is vulnerable to chance. This raises questions about the nature of human worth and the ethical implications of relying on external factors. The text argues that while human beings are rational and capable of self-determination, they are also subject to the unpredictability of life. This duality is central to Greek thought, which seeks to balance the need for self-sufficiency with the recognition of human vulnerability. The text examines how Greek thinkers, including Plato and Aristotle, grapple with these tensions, emphasizing the importance of practical reason in achieving a self-sufficient and morally good life. It also critiques the Kantian view that moral value is immune to luck, arguing that Greek thought acknowledges the interplay between moral and non-moral values. The text concludes that ethical inquiry must consider both the rational and emotional aspects of human life, recognizing the complexity of human nature and the role of poetry and literature in ethical reflection. The author advocates for a method that engages with both philosophical and literary texts, emphasizing the importance of emotional and sensory responses in ethical understanding. The text ultimately argues that a comprehensive ethical inquiry must be grounded in a balanced consideration of human rationality and vulnerability, and that poetic and literary works are essential in exploring these issues.The text explores the tension between human excellence and the role of luck in Greek ethical thought. Pindar's poetry illustrates how human virtue is both a personal achievement and shaped by external factors, such as fortune and social circumstances. The vine-tree metaphor highlights the fragility of human excellence, which depends on external nourishment and is vulnerable to chance. This raises questions about the nature of human worth and the ethical implications of relying on external factors. The text argues that while human beings are rational and capable of self-determination, they are also subject to the unpredictability of life. This duality is central to Greek thought, which seeks to balance the need for self-sufficiency with the recognition of human vulnerability. The text examines how Greek thinkers, including Plato and Aristotle, grapple with these tensions, emphasizing the importance of practical reason in achieving a self-sufficient and morally good life. It also critiques the Kantian view that moral value is immune to luck, arguing that Greek thought acknowledges the interplay between moral and non-moral values. The text concludes that ethical inquiry must consider both the rational and emotional aspects of human life, recognizing the complexity of human nature and the role of poetry and literature in ethical reflection. The author advocates for a method that engages with both philosophical and literary texts, emphasizing the importance of emotional and sensory responses in ethical understanding. The text ultimately argues that a comprehensive ethical inquiry must be grounded in a balanced consideration of human rationality and vulnerability, and that poetic and literary works are essential in exploring these issues.