Quotes by Sophocles

The ideal condition
Would be, I admit, that men should be right by instinct;
But since we are all likely to go astray,
The reasonable thing is to learn from those who can teach.
(Antigone)

There is no happiness where there is no wisdom;
No wisdom but in submission to the gods.
Big words are always punished,
And proud men in old age learn to be wise.
(Antigone)

Wisdom outweighs any wealth.
(Antigone)

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

Death is not the worst thing; rather, when one who craves death cannot attain even that wish.
(Electra ,c.409 BC)

Death is not the worst; rather, in vain
To wish for death, and not to compass it.
(Electra ,c.409 BC)

The end excuses any evil.
(Electra ,c.409 BC)

It made our hair stand up in panic fear.
(Oedipus at Colonus)

One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.
(Oedipus at Colonus)

Stranger in a strange country.
(Oedipus at Colonus)

The good befriend themselves.
(Oedipus at Colonus)

How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be
When there's no help in truth!
(Oedipus Rex)

The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.
(Oedipus Rex)

Time eases all things.
(Oedipus Rex)

A prudent mind can see room for misgiving, lest he who prospers would one day suffer reverse.
(Trachiniae)

Knowledge must come through action; you can have no test which is not fanciful, save by trial.
(Trachiniae)

Rash indeed is he who reckons on the morrow, or haply on days beyond it; for tomorrow is not, until today is past.
(Trachiniae)