Sophocles496–406 BCThe quotations of
Sophocles
Ancient Greek playwright
496–406 BC
27 quotes, most often on Wisdom, Life & Death and Pride.
Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all.
Frg. 301 TrGF (Bartlett’s, 9th ed., 1892)Death is not the worst evil, but rather when we wish to die and cannot.
Electra, Lines 1007–1008 (Bartlett’s, 9th ed., 1892)- Ajax, Lines 550–551 (tr. R. C. Jebb, 1896)
- Ajax, Line 522–524 (tr. R. C. Trevelyan, 1919)
It is no weakness for the wisest man
To learn when he is wrong.Antigone, Lines 710–711 (tr. E. F. Watling, 1947)Alas, alas, what misery to be wise
When wisdom profits nothing!Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by TeiresiasIn contextThe truth, for time alone reveals the just;
A villain is detected in a day.Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by CreonIn context- Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by ChorusIn context
Races of mortal man
Whose life is but a span,
I count ye but the shadow of a shade!Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by ChorusIn contextCrave not mastery in all,
For the mastery that raised thee was thy bane and wrought thy fall.Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by CreonIn context- Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by JocastaIn context
- Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by ChorusIn context
Who seeks shall find;
Who sits with folded hands or sleeps is blind.Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by CreonIn context- Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by TeiresiasIn context
This is man’s highest end,
To others’ service all his powers to lend.Oedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by OedipusIn context
