Aeschylus
Aeschylus
Aeschyluswas an ancient Greek tragedian. His plays, alongside those of Sophocles and Euripides, are the only works of Classical Greek literature to have survived. He is often described as the father of tragedy: critics and scholars' knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier tragedies is largely based on inferences from his surviving plays. According to Aristotle, he expanded the number of characters in theater to allow conflict among them, whereas characters previously had interacted only...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPoet
destiny men shadow
Alas, poor men, their destiny. When all goes well a shadow will overthrow it. If it be unkind one stroke of a wet sponge wipes all the picture out.
pain memories rain
In visions of the night, like dropping rain, Descend the many memories of pain.
learning law suffering
Making it a valid law to learn by suffering.
mother children nursing
The so-called mother of the child isn't the child's begetter, but only a sort of nursing soil for the new-sown seed. The man, the one on top, is the true parent, while she, a stranger, foster's a stranger's sprout.
destiny knowing bears
But I must bear my destiny as best I can, knowing well that there is no resisting the strength of necessity.
wise wiser
Truly even he errs that is wiser than the wise.
spring night law
The people's awe and innate fear will hold injustice back by day, by night, so long as the people leave the laws intact, just as they are: muddy the cleanest spring, and all you'll have to drink is muddy water.
punishment feet justice
Respect the altar of Justice and do not, looking to profit, dishonor it by spurning with godless foot; for punishment will come upon you.
courage fear tongue
Fear hurries on my tongue through want of courage.
pain rewards
The reward of pain is experience.
pain ends extremity
Take courage; pain's extremity soon ends.
men blood black
When the black and mortal blood of man has fallen to the ground ... who then can sing spells to call it back again?
night men thinking
Nor does night conceal men's deeds of ill, but whatsoe'er thou dost, think that some God beholds it.
men long safe
As long as there are men the bulwark is safe.