Quotes from Sophocles

Look upon OedipusThis is the king who solved the famous riddle [of the Sphinx].

Who seeks shall find.

All that is and shall be,And all the past, is his [Zeus's].

It is the merit of a general to impart good news, and to conceal the truth.

Nobly to live, or else nobly to die,Befits proud birth.

Whoever thinks that he alone has speech, or possesses speech or mind above others, when unfolded such men are seen to be empty.

Fortune raises up and fortune brings low both the man who fares well and the one who fares badly and there is no prophet of the future for mortal men.

No lie ever reaches old age.

Not to be born is, past all prizing, best.

Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way.

I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare—I have no use for him, either.

Not even old age knows how to love death.

You should not consider a man's age but his acts.

They are not wise, then, who stand forth to buffet against Love; for Love rules the gods as he will, and me.

A man growing old becomes a child again.

Money is the worst currency that ever grew among mankind. This sacks cities, this drives men from their homes, this teaches and corrupts the worthiest minds to turn base deeds.

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

War never slays a bad man in its course,But the good always!

Much wisdom often goes with fewest words.

God's dice always have a lucky roll.

Men of ill judgment ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it.

No speech can stain what is noble by nature.

For death is not the worst, but when one wants to die and is not able even to have that.

A word does not frighten the man who, in acting, feels no fear.