Those whom the Gods would destroy, they first call promising

Those whom the Gods would destroy, they first call promising

The quote "Those whom the Gods would destroy, they first call promising" is often attributed to Cyril Connolly, a British literary critic and writer. This quote speaks to the idea that those who show great potential or promise in their youth may ultimately be doomed to fail or face downfall in the future. It suggests that there is a certain irony in being labeled as promising, as it may ultimately lead to one's downfall.