Quotes by Euripides




Euripides, the youngest of the three great Athenian playwrights, was born around 485 BC of a family of good standing. He first competed in the dramatic festivals in 455 BC, coming only third; his record of success in the tragic competitions is lower than that of either Aeschylus or Sophocles. There is a tradition that he was unpopular, even a recluse; we are told that he composed poetry in a cave by the sea, near Salamis. What is clear from contemporary evidence, however, is that audiences were facinated by his innovative and often disturbing dramas. His work was controversial already in his lifetime, and he himself was regarded as a 'clever' poet, associated with philosophers and other intellectuals. Towards the end of his life he went to live at the court of Archelaus, King of Macedon. It was during his time there that he wrote what many consider his greatest work, the Bacchae. When news of his death reached Athens in early 406 BC, Sophocles appeared publicly in mourning for him. Euripides is thought to have written about ninety-two plays, of which seventeen tragedies and one satyr-play known to be his survive; the other play which is attributed to him, the Rhesus, may in fact be by a later hand..

"Know first who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly."

Euripides on dress
3 fans of this quote    Share


"Much effort, much prosperity."

Euripides on effort    Share

"When a good man is hurt all who would be called good must suffer with him."

Euripides on empathy
4 fans of this quote    Share

"There is nothing like the sight of an old enemy down on his luck."

Euripides on enemies
5 fans of this quote    Share

"Every man is like the company he is wont to keep."

Euripides on environment    Share

"Noble fathers have noble children."

Euripides on fathers
3 fans of this quote    Share

"To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter."

Euripides on fathers    Share

"When a man's stomach is full it makes no difference whether he is rich or poor."

Euripides on food and eating    Share

"Forgive, son; men are men; they needs must err."

Euripides on forgiveness    Share

"Fortune truly helps those who are of good judgment."

Euripides on fortune    Share

"No one is truly free, they are a slave to wealth, fortune, the law, or other people restraining them from acting according to their will."

Euripides on freedom    Share

"No one who lives in error is free."

Euripides on freedom    Share

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."

Euripides on friends and friendship
11 fans of this quote    Share

"Life has no blessing like a prudent friend."

Euripides on friends and friendship    Share

"Friends show their love in times of trouble..."

Euripides on friends and friendship
6 fans of this quote    Share

"I hate it in friends when they come too late to help."

Euripides on friends and friendship    Share

"To generous souls every task is noble."

Euripides on generosity
3 fans of this quote    Share

"Slight not what's near through aiming at what's far."

Euripides on goals    Share

"In goodness there are all kinds of wisdom."

Euripides on goodness    Share

"That glittering hope is immemorial and beckons many men to their undoing."

Euripides on hope    Share

"Often a noble face hides filthy ways."

Euripides on hypocrisy    Share

"Ignorance of one's misfortunes is clear gain."

Euripides on ignorance    Share

"Impudence is the worst of all human diseases."

Euripides on impudence    Share

"Some wisdom you must learn from one who's wise."

Euripides on influence    Share

"The language of truth is simple."

Euripides on language
6 fans of this quote    Share

This quotation can be viewed in the context of a book

"People that seem so glorious are all show; underneath they are like everyone else."

Euripides on appearance    Share

"Reason can wrestle and overthrow terror."

Euripides on logic    Share

"Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other."

Euripides on love
6 fans of this quote    Share

"He is not a lover who does not love forever."

Euripides on love
4 fans of this quote    Share

"The wavering mind is but a base possession."

Euripides on mind    Share

"I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men."

Euripides on murder    Share

"Nothing has more strength than dire necessity."

Euripides on necessity    Share

"To persevere, trusting in what hopes he has, is courage in a man."

Euripides on perseverance
5 fans of this quote    Share

"Do not plan for ventures before finishing what's at hand."

Euripides on planning
4 fans of this quote    Share

"Joint undertakings stand a better chance when they benefit both sides."

Euripides on assertiveness    Share

"Events will take their course, it is no good of being angry at them; he is happiest who wisely turns them to the best account."

Euripides on attitude
8 fans of this quote    Share

"Authority is never without hate."

Euripides on authority    Share

"The bold are helpless without cleverness."

Euripides on risk    Share

"The good and the wise lead quiet lives."

Euripides on solitude
6 fans of this quote    Share

"Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent."

Euripides on chance    Share

But wait... There are more: 1, 2 next

Take a look at recent activity on QB!

 

Search Quotations Book