Sophocles Quotes

There is some pleasure even in words, when they bring forgetfulness of present miseries.

Nobody likes the bringer of bad news.

Men should pledge themselves to nothing; for reflection makes a liar of their resolution.

Knowledge must come through action. You can have no test which is not fanciful, save by trial.

Remember there is no success without hard work.

It is hope that maintains most of mankind.

A mind at peace does not engender wars.

Fortune cannot aid those who do nothing.

When I do not understand, I like to say nothing.

Wealth makes an ugly person beautiful to look on and an incoherent speech eloquent; and wealth alone can enjoy pleasure even in sickness and can conceal its miseries.

Much speech is one thing, well-timed speech is another.

Woman, to women silence is the best ornament.

Goodbye to the sun that shines for me no longer.

It's impossible to speak what it is not noble to do.

The end excuses any evil.

Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man; the power that crosses the white sea, driven by the stormy wind, making a path under surges that threaten to engulf him.

It can be no dishonor to learn from others when they speak good sense.

Astronomy? Impossible to understand and madness to investigate.

To me so deep a silence portends some dread event; a clamorous sorrow wastes itself in sound.

No one longs to live more than someone growing old.

And if my present deeds are foolish in thy sight, it may be that a foolish judge arraigns my folly.

To women silence gives their proper grace.

A prudent mind can see room for misgiving, lest he who prospers should one day suffer reverse.

Love is like ice in the hands of children.

Now I see that going out into the testing ground of men it is the tongue and not the deed that wins the day.

It is God's giving if we laugh or weep.

To live with glory, or with glory die, This is the brave man's part.

It is best not to have been born at all: but, if born, as quickly as possible to return whence one came.

Gratitude to gratitude always gives birth.

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

Fate has terrible power. You cannot escape it by wealth or war. No fort will keep it out, no ships outrun it.

There is a point beyond which even justice becomes unjust.

It is always fair sailing, when you escape evil.

It is not righteousness to outrage A brave man dead, not even though you hate him.

How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the man that's wise

There is no happiness where there is no wisdom.

A wise player ought to accept his throws and score them, not bewail his luck.

The man the state has put in place must have obedient hearing to his least command when it is right, and even when it's not.

There are some who praise a man free from disease; to me no man who is poor seems free from disease but to be constantly sick.

A man is nothing but breath and shadow.

If you are out of trouble, watch for danger. And when you live well, then consider the most your life, lest ruin take it unawares.

Knowledge must come through action.

Time alone reveals the just man; but you might discern a bad man in a single day.

It was my care to make my life illustrious not by words more than by deeds.

There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.

Whoever grows angry amid troubles applies a drug worse than the disease and is a physician unskilled about misfortunes.

If one begins all deeds well, it is likely that they will end well too.

Even the stout of heart shrink when they see the approach of death.

Whoe'er imagines prudence all his own, Or deems that he hath powers to speak and judge Such as none other hath, when they are known, They are found shallow.

Truly, to tell lies is not honorable; but when the truth entails tremendous ruin, to speak dishonorably is pardonable.