“It is the merit of a general to impart good news, and to conceal the truth.”
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Famous Sophocles Quotes
“We must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day had been.”
“Time is the only test of honest men, one day is space enough to know a rogue.”
Source: Sophocles
“Heaven ne'er helps the men who will not act.”
Source: The Tragedies of Sophocles: A New Trans., with a Biographical Essay, and an Appendix of Rhymed Choral Odes and Lyrical Dialogues
“Nobody likes the bringer of bad news.”
Source: Sophocles I: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus
Source: Sophocles
“Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.”
Source: The Antigone of Sophocles: An English Version by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald
“Men's minds are given to change in hate and friendship.”
Source: Sophocles II: Ajax, The Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes, The Trackers
“Kindness gives birth to kindness.”
Source: The Tragedier of Sophocles; Translated by R. Potter. A New Edition
“A man though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.”
Source: Sophocles
“I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.”
Source: Sophocles
“The eyes of men love to pluck the blossoms from the faded flowers they turn away.”
Source: Sophocles
“In darkness one may be ashamed of what one does, without the shame of disgrace.”
Source: Sophocles
“It is terrible to speak well and be wrong.”
Source: Sophocles
“And if you think my acts are foolishness the foolishness may be in a fool's eye.”
“Stubbornness and stupidity are twins.”
Source: Sophocles I: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus
“It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong.”
Source: The Theban Plays: King Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus [and] Antigone
“Knowledge must come through action. You can have no test which is not fanciful, save by trial.”
“The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.”
Source: The Oedipus Cycle: An English Version
“Wisdom is the most important part of happiness.”
Source: Sophocles Antigone; Edited on the Basis of Wolff's Edition by Martin L. D'Ooge...
“In a just cause the weak will beat the strong.”
Source: Sophocles
“Is anyone in all the world safe from unhappiness?”
Source: Sophocles I: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus
“What fate can be worse than to know we have no one but ourselves to blame for our misfortunes!”
“Count no mortal fortunate till he has departed this life free from pain.”
Source: Sophocles: Fragments
“Foolishness is indeed the sister of wickedness.”
Source: Sophocles: Fragments
“A wise player ought to accept his throws and score them, not bewail his luck.”
“Let men be wise by instinct if they can, but when this fails be wise by good advice.”
Source: The Oedipus plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone
“If you are out of trouble, watch for danger.”
Source: Sophocles
“None love the messenger who brings bad news.”
Source: Antigone
Source: The Oedipus Cycle: An English Version
Source: The Oedipus Cycle: An English Version