Sophocles Quotes

Playwright

Sophocles, born in 498 BC and died in 406 BC, was a renowned Greek tragic playwright. He is one of the three greatest tragic poets of ancient Greece, alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. Sophocles' works profoundly revealed the complexity of human nature and social contradictions, exerting a profound influence on subsequent drama.

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Famous Sophocles Quotes

“When an oath is taken ... the mind is more attentive; for it guards against two things, the reproach of friends and offence against the gods.”

Mind Two Taken Two Things Oath Reproach Offence

Book:Sophocles: Fragments

Source: Sophocles: Fragments

“A prudent mind can see room for misgiving, lest he who prospers should one day suffer reverse.”

Should Mind Suffering Rooms One Day Reverse Prudent Misgivings

Book:The Tragedies (Annotated Edition)

Source: The Tragedies (Annotated Edition)

“For kindness begets kindness evermore, But he from whose mind fades the memory Of benefits, noble is he no more.”

Mind Kindness Benefits Noble Fades Begets Evermore

Author:Sophocles

“As sight is in the eye, so is the mind in the soul!”

Mind Soul Eye Sight

Author:Sophocles

“Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.”

Mind Grief Teach Grieving Antigone

Book:The Antigone of Sophocles: An English Version by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald

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.”

Men Mind Hate Given Despise

Book:Sophocles II: Ajax, The Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes, The Trackers

Source: Sophocles II: Ajax, The Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes, The Trackers

“A man though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.”

Men Inspirational Should Mind Education Wise Teaching Students Training Ashamed Learning More Antigone

Book:Sophocles

Source: Sophocles

“A mind at peace does not engender wars.”

Mind Doe War Antiwar

Book:The Oedipus plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone

Source: The Oedipus plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone

“Sleep, thou patron of mankind, Great physician of the mind Who does nor pain nor sorrow know, Sweetest balm of every woe.”

Knows Mind Doe Pain Sleep Mankind Sorrow Physicians Woe Sweetest Patron

Book:The Complete Greek Drama: All the Extant Tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and the Comedies of Aristophanes and Menander, in a Variety of Translations

Source: The Complete Greek Drama: All the Extant Tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and the Comedies of Aristophanes and Menander, in a Variety of Translations

“A wise man does not chatter with one whose mind is sick.”

Men Mind Doe Wisdom Wise Communication Sick Chatter

Author:Sophocles

“Whoever thinks that he alone has speech, or possesses speech or mind above others, when unfolded such men are seen to be empty.”

Thinking Men Mind Speech Empty Uprising

Author:Sophocles

“Tomorrow is tomorrow. Future cares have future cures, And we must mind today.”

Mind Care Today Tomorrow Cures

Book:The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles

Source: The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles

“Money is the worst currency that ever grew among mankind. This sacks cities, this drives men from their homes, this teaches and corrupts the worthiest minds to turn base deeds.”

Men Mind Home Turns Money Cities Teach Worst Mankind Grew Deeds Currency