Most of the life of man rests upon hope

Most of the life of man rests upon hope, and by defying the gods and committing transgressions against them, he would rob himself even of hope, the greatest of human blessings. Antiphon. On the Choreutes. Speech 6. Section 5.

In Hesiod's Works and Days, Elpis (Hope) was the last item in Pandora's box (or jar). Based on Hesiod's description, the debate is still alive to determine if Elpis was only hope, or more generally expectation. Her equivalent in Roman mythology was Spes.

Only Hope was left within her unbreakable house,
she remained under the lip of the jar, and did not
fly away before Pandora replaced the lid of the jar.
- Hesiod, Works and Days

The implications of Elpis remaining in the jar were the subject of intense debate even in antiquity.

Sixth century B.C.E. Greek elegiac poet Theognis of Megara suggested a totally different viewpoint.

Hope is the only good god remaining among mankind, the others have left and gone to Olympus. Trust, a mighty god has gone, Restraint has gone from men, and the Graces, my friend, have abandoned the earth.

Men's judicial oaths are no longer to be trusted, nor does anyone revere the immortal gods, the race of pious men has perished and men no longer recognize the rules of conduct or acts of piety. - Theognis of Megara

Image: Pandora by William-Adolphe Bougereau, 1890, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.