Sophocles Quotes

Sophocles

Biography

Type: Tragedian

Born: 497/496 BC, Colonus, Attica

Died: 406/405 BC (aged 90 or 91), Athens

Sophocles with Aeschylus and Euripides, one of classical Athens’ three great tragic playwrights.

Sophocles Quotes

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love..
One word
frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.

It is not in words that I should wish my life to be distinguished, but rather
It is not in words that I should wish my life to be distinguished, but rather in things done.

Without labor nothing prospers.. Sophocles
Without labor nothing prospers.

I was born to join in love, not hate - that is my nature.. Sophocles
I was born to join in love, not hate - that is my nature.

A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind..
A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.

The truth is what I cherish and that's my strength. Sophocles
The truth is what I cherish and that's my strength

Sister - if all this is true, what could I do or undo?. Sophocles
Sister - if all this is true, what could I do or undo?

One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.. Sophocles
One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.

A lie never grows old.. Sophocles
A lie never grows old.

A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist. Sophocles
A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist

Prefiero, señor, obrar bien y fracasar, antes que triunfar con malas artes. Palabras de Neoptólemo a
Prefiero, señor, obrar bien y fracasar, antes que triunfar con malas artes.
Palabras de Neoptólemo a Odiseo, en la tragedia griega Filoctetes.

Shall not I
Learn place and wisdom? Have I not learned this,
Only so much to hate my enemy,
As though he might again become my friend,
And so much good to wish to do my friend,
As knowing he may yet become my foe?

We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the
We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.

Death is not the worst thing; rather, when one who craves death cannot attain even that
Death is not the worst thing; rather, when one who craves death cannot attain even that wish.

Alas, how terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to the man that's wise! This
Alas, how terrible is wisdom
when it brings no profit to the man that's wise!
This I knew well, but had forgotten it,
else I would not have come here.

Those swift to think are not always secure.. Sophocles
Those swift to think are not always secure.

Hide nothing, for time, which sees all and hears all, exposes all.. Sophocles
Hide nothing, for time, which sees all and hears all, exposes all.

Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.

The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.. Sophocles
The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.

If you try to cure evil with evil you will add more pain to your fate..
If you try to cure evil with evil
you will add more pain to your fate.

The pains we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all.. Sophocles
The pains we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all.

A sight to touch e’en hatred’s self with pity.. Sophocles
A sight to touch e’en hatred’s self with pity.

A city which belongs to just one man is no true city. Sophocles
A city which belongs to just one man is no true city

All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong,
All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.

To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away. Sophocles
To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away

You must remember that no one lives a life free from pain and suffering.. Sophocles
You must remember that no one lives a life free from pain and suffering.

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