In Greek mythology, Pandora’s jar retained hope after its evils escaped.
Hesiod’s Works and Days says Pandora lifted the lid of the large storage vessel, releasing the troubles that afflict humanity. The vessel then closed before one final thing could leave: elpis, usually translated as “hope.” This is the source of the familiar statement that hope remained inside Pandora’s container.
The Greek word elpis can have a wider meaning than modern optimism. It may refer to expectation or anticipation, so scholars have debated whether hope’s confinement is comforting, ominous, or deliberately ambiguous. The myth does not simply describe a modern cardboard box; Hesiod uses the word pithos for a large jar.
The expression “Pandora’s box” became standard much later through Renaissance retellings and translation. In popular versions, hope is often treated as a blessing that remains available to humanity, while the ancient text leaves more room for interpretation.