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
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.
men judging ancient
There is an ancient saying, famous among men, that thou shouldst not judge fully of a man's life before he dieth, whether it should be called blest or wretched.
past expectations joy
The joy that comes past hope and beyond expectation is like no other pleasure in extent.
watches trouble danger
If you are out of trouble, watch for danger.
hands opinion greater
Opinions have greater power than strength of hands.
men deeds-done kind-deeds
To be doing good deeds is man's most glorious task.
reason plant mankind
The gods plant reason in mankind, of all good gifts the highest.
wise buffets against-love
They are not wise, then, who stand forth to buffet against Love; for Love rules the gods as he will, and me.
men gains ruins
Hope has often caused the love of gain to ruin men.
men formidable
Many things are formidable, and none more formidable than man.
men opposites cities
One must obey the man whom the city sets up in power in small things and in justice and in its opposite.
winter rivers yield
You see how when rivers are swollen in winter those trees that yield to the flood retain their branches, but those that offer resistance perish, trunk and all.
proud birth dies
Nobly to live, or else nobly to die,Befits proud birth.