Athena intimates to Telemachus that the power of the gods is far stronger than he might believe, but that even so, there are limitations to it.
Telemachus comments that he could never hope that Athena would take favor upon him as she did upon his father. He says,
"It would be far too much to hope for. I dare not let myself think of it. Even though the gods themselves willed it no such good fortune could befall me".
Athena does not agree; she believes Telemachus underestimates the power of the gods and tells him,
"Heaven has a long arm if it is minded to save a man".
Athena subsequently clarifies this statement, noting that although the gods' power is far-reaching, it is not absolute, and is not mightier than death. She amends,
"Still, death is certain,and when a man's hour is come, not even the gods can save him, no matter how fond they are of him" (Chapter 3).
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