Sophocles
Sophocles (circa. 496 BC - 406 BC) was the second of the three ancient Greek tragedians whose work has survived to the present day. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than those of Euripides. According to the Suda, a 10th century encyclopedia, Sophocles wrote 123 or more plays during the course of his life, but only seven have survived in a complete form. For almost 50 years, Sophocles was the most-awarded playwright in the dramatic competitions of ancient Athens that took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. The most famous of Sophocles's tragedies are those concerning Oedipus and Antigone: these are often known as the Theban plays or The Oedipus Cycle, although they were not originally written or performed as a single trilogy. Sophocles influenced the development of the drama, most importantly by adding a third character and thereby reducing the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights such as Aeschylus.
32 Quotes
Heaven never helps the men who will not act.
— Sophocles
Ignorant men don't know what good they hold in their hands until they've flung it away.
— Sophocles
There is no witness so terrible and no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us.
— Sophocles
For the dead there are no more toils.
— Sophocles
To be doing good deeds is man's most glorious task.
— Sophocles
I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.
— Sophocles
To him who is in fear everything rustles.
— Sophocles
There is no sense in crying over spilt milk. Why bewail what is done and cannot be recalled?
— Sophocles
The dice of Zeus always fall luckily.
— Sophocles
Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.
— Sophocles
Men of ill judgment ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it.
— Sophocles
Kindness gives birth to kindness.
— Sophocles
One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.
— Sophocles
The long unmeasured pulse of time moves everything. There is nothing hidden that it cannot bring to light, nothing once known that may not become unknown.
— Sophocles
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
— Sophocles
Best to live lightly, unthinkingly.
— Sophocles
One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life; that word is love.
— Sophocles
None loves the messenger who brings bad news.
— Sophocles
Look and you will find it -- what is unsought will go undetected.
— Sophocles
Who feels no ills, should, therefore, fear them; and when fortune smiles, be doubly cautious, lest destruction come remorseless on him, and he fall unpitied.
— Sophocles
A short saying often contains much wisdom.
— Sophocles
In a just cause the weak will beat the strong.
— Sophocles
The gods plant reason in mankind, of all good gifts the highest.
— Sophocles
Chance never helps those who do not help themselves.
— Sophocles
It is terrible to speak well and be wrong.
— Sophocles
There is no success without hardship.
— Sophocles
Success, remember is the reward of toil.
— Sophocles
Truth is always the strongest argument.
— Sophocles
Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness.
— Sophocles
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...
— Sophocles
I well believe it, to unwilling ears;None love the messenger who brings bad news.
— Sophocles
Ignorant menDont know what good they hold in their hands untilTheyve flung it away.
— Sophocles