Sophocles
Sophocles
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote 120 plays during the course of his life, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, The Women of Trachis, Oedipus the King, Electra, Philoctetes and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost 50 years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPoet
love daughter hardship
It has been hard, I know, my daughters, but one word alone wipes out all of the hardships: love.
all-things concealed
Not all things are to be discovered; many are better concealed.
battle
Not even Ares battles against necessity.
doe reverence mortals
Reverence does not die with mortals, nor does it perish whether they live or die.
water oath
The oaths of a woman I inscribe on water.
silence sorrow events
To me so deep a silence portends some dread event; a clamorous sorrow wastes itself in sound.
heart brave brave-heart
Brave hearts do not back down back off.
mind suffering one-day
A prudent mind can see room for misgiving, lest he who prospers should one day suffer reverse.
kings pain grief
Sleep, ignorant of pain, sleep, ignorant of grief, may you come to us blowing softly, kindly, kindly come king.
hope men noble-man
Each say following another, either hastening or putting off our death--what pleasure does it bring? I count that man worthless whois cheered by empty hopes. No, a noble man must either live or die well.
hope men deception
To many men much-wandering hope comes as a boon, but to many others it is the deception of vain desires.
tyrants house shadow
Heap up great wealth in your house, if you wish, and live as a tyrant, but, if the enjoyment of these things be lacking, I would not buy the rest for the shadow of smoke as against happiness.
thrifty stewards goods
Be a thrifty steward of thy goods.
hands opinion greater
Opinions have greater power than strength of hands.