Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Famous Sophocles Quotes On Life

Famous As: Ancient Greek Tragedian
Born On: 497 BC
Died On: 406 BC
Born In: Colonus, Athens, Greece
Died At Age: 91
Sophocles was an ancient Greek playwright, who lived from around 497 BC to 405 BC. He is one of the ancient Greek tragedians whose work has outlasted. Sophocles was born in a prosperous family in Attica and showed his talent as a playwright from an early age, before becoming the most famous playwright in Athens. Sophocles lived well past the age of 90 and during his illustrious career; he is known to have produced a total of around 120 plays. However, many of those have been lost, but among the ones which survived, the most famous ones are ‘Oedipus at Colonus’, ‘ Ajax’, ‘Electra’, ‘The Women of Trachis’ and others. Those plays are still performed in different parts of the world and are counted among the classic plays in the world of dramatics. In addition to that, Sophocles led the Greek literary scene throughout his life and had won a total of 18 competitions throughout his lifetime, having participated in 30 of them. Here is a collection of quotes and sayings excerpted from his famous plays, work, thoughts and life that reveal his intellect as an outstanding playwright. Read on some of the selected quotes and thoughts by Sophocles.
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One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.

One word Frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.

Sophocles
Fortune is not on the side of the faint-hearted.

Fortune is not on the side of the faint-hearted.

Sophocles
All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.

All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.

Sophocles
The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.

The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.

Sophocles
One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.

One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Sophocles
Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.

Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.

Sophocles
To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away

To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away

Sophocles
If you try to cure evil with evil
you will add more pain to your fate.

If you try to cure evil with evil you will add more pain to your fate.

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

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

Sophocles
There's nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.

There's nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.

Sophocles
I have no desire to suffer twice, in reality and then in retrospect.

I have no desire to suffer twice, in reality and then in retrospect.

Sophocles
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.

Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.

Sophocles
You can kill a man but you cant kill a idea.

You can kill a man but you cant kill a idea.

Sophocles
I was born to join in love, not hate - that is my nature.

I was born to join in love, not hate - that is my nature.

Sophocles
Time, which sees all things, has found you out.

Time, which sees all things, has found you out.

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

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

Sophocles
How dreadful the knowledge of the truth can be 
When there’s no help in truth.

How dreadful the knowledge of the truth can be When there’s no help in truth.

Sophocles
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.

Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.

Sophocles
We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.

We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.

Sophocles
Alas, how terrible is wisdom
when it brings no profit to the man that's wise!
This I knew well, but had forgotten it,
else I would not have come here.

Alas, how terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to the man that's wise! This I knew well, but had forgotten it, else I would not have come here.

Sophocles
Death is not the worst thing; rather, when one who craves death cannot attain even that wish.

Death is not the worst thing; rather, when one who craves death cannot attain even that wish.

Sophocles
When I have tried and failed, I shall have failed.

When I have tried and failed, I shall have failed.

Sophocles
No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.

No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.

Sophocles
Trust dies but mistrust blossoms.

Trust dies but mistrust blossoms.

Sophocles
The truth is what I cherish and that's my strength

The truth is what I cherish and that's my strength

Sophocles
It's terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong.

It's terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong.

Sophocles
Look and you will find it - what is unsought will go undetected.

Look and you will find it - what is unsought will go undetected.

Sophocles
The happiest life is to be without thought

The happiest life is to be without thought

Sophocles
The tyrant is a child of Pride
Who drinks from his sickening cup 
Recklessness and vanity,
Until from his high crest headlong
He plummets to the dust of hope.

The tyrant is a child of Pride Who drinks from his sickening cup Recklessness and vanity, Until from his high crest headlong He plummets to the dust of hope.

Sophocles
To Never Have been born may be the greatest boon of all

To Never Have been born may be the greatest boon of all

Sophocles
Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.

Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.

Sophocles
Wild as you are, all that love you must love you still.

Wild as you are, all that love you must love you still.

Sophocles
Leave me to my own absurdity.

Leave me to my own absurdity.

Sophocles
No enemy is worse than bad advice.

No enemy is worse than bad advice.

Sophocles
Wisdom outweighs any wealth.

Wisdom outweighs any wealth.

Sophocles
A city which belongs to just one man is no true city

A city which belongs to just one man is no true city

Sophocles
It is not right if I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, what does my age matter?

It is not right if I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, what does my age matter?

Sophocles
You must remember that no one lives a life free from pain and suffering.

You must remember that no one lives a life free from pain and suffering.

Sophocles
There is no greater evil than men's failure to consult and to consider.

There is no greater evil than men's failure to consult and to consider.

Sophocles
Oblivion - what a blessing...for the mind to dwell a world away from pain.

Oblivion - what a blessing...for the mind to dwell a world away from pain.

Sophocles
Hide nothing, for time, which sees all and hears all, exposes all.

Hide nothing, for time, which sees all and hears all, exposes all.

Sophocles
All my care is you, and all my pleasure yours.

All my care is you, and all my pleasure yours.

Sophocles
Do not fear for me. Make straight your own path to destiny.

Do not fear for me. Make straight your own path to destiny.

Sophocles
I have been a stranger here in my own land: All my life

I have been a stranger here in my own land: All my life

Sophocles
Which would you choose if you could:
pleasure for yourself despite your friends
or a share in their grief?

Which would you choose if you could: pleasure for yourself despite your friends or a share in their grief?

Sophocles
Numberless are the world's wonders, but none more wonderful than man

Numberless are the world's wonders, but none more wonderful than man

Sophocles
In time you will know this well: For time, and time alone, will show the just man, though scoundrels are discovered in a day.

In time you will know this well: For time, and time alone, will show the just man, though scoundrels are discovered in a day.

Sophocles
One learns by doing a thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.

One learns by doing a thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.

Sophocles
Unwanted favours gain no gratitude.

Unwanted favours gain no gratitude.

Sophocles
All men make mistakes.

All men make mistakes.

Sophocles
If you are out of trouble, watch for danger.

If you are out of trouble, watch for danger.

Sophocles
Fate has terrible power. You cannot escape it by wealth or war. No fort will keep it out, no ships outrun it.

Fate has terrible power. You cannot escape it by wealth or war. No fort will keep it out, no ships outrun it.

Sophocles
I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State.

I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State.

Sophocles
What greater wound is there than a false friend?

What greater wound is there than a false friend?

Sophocles
A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist

A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist

Sophocles
The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.

The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.

Sophocles
Let every man in mankind's frailty consider his last day; and let none presume on his good fortune until he find Life, at his death, a memory without pain.

Let every man in mankind's frailty consider his last day; and let none presume on his good fortune until he find Life, at his death, a memory without pain.

Sophocles
Truly, to tell lies is not honorable;
but when the truth entails tremendous ruin,
to speak dishonorably is pardonable.

Truly, to tell lies is not honorable; but when the truth entails tremendous ruin, to speak dishonorably is pardonable.

Sophocles
Success is dependent on effort.

Success is dependent on effort.

Sophocles
A lie never grows old.

A lie never grows old.

Sophocles
Another husband could be found and with That husband another son. But I have no mother now. I have no father. I cannot bring another brother to the world.

Another husband could be found and with That husband another son. But I have no mother now. I have no father. I cannot bring another brother to the world.

Sophocles
Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the Gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise.

Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the Gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise.

Sophocles
How terrible-- to see the truth when the truth is only pain to him who sees!

How terrible-- to see the truth when the truth is only pain to him who sees!

Sophocles
There is no happiness where there is no wisdom...

There is no happiness where there is no wisdom...

Sophocles
For Time calls only once, and that determines all.

For Time calls only once, and that determines all.

Sophocles
I have no love for a friend who loves in words alone.

I have no love for a friend who loves in words alone.

Sophocles
It is my nature to join in love, not hate.

It is my nature to join in love, not hate.

Sophocles
Of all vile things current on earth, none is so vile as money.

Of all vile things current on earth, none is so vile as money.

Sophocles
Oh it's terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong.

Oh it's terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong.

Sophocles
...count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last.

...count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last.

Sophocles
There is much that is strange, but nothing that surpasses man in strangeness

There is much that is strange, but nothing that surpasses man in strangeness

Sophocles
Once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

Once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme.

Sophocles
Always desire to learn something useful.

Always desire to learn something useful.

Sophocles
Men of ill judgment oft ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it.

Men of ill judgment oft ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it.

Sophocles
[S]ilence supports the accuser’s charge?

[S]ilence supports the accuser’s charge?

Sophocles
If you were to offer a thirsty man all wisdom, you would not please him more than if you gave him a drink.

If you were to offer a thirsty man all wisdom, you would not please him more than if you gave him a drink.

Sophocles
Reason is God's crowning gift to a man...

Reason is God's crowning gift to a man...

Sophocles
Sister - if all this is true, what could I do or undo?

Sister - if all this is true, what could I do or undo?

Sophocles
How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong!

How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong!

Sophocles
Whatever is sought for can be caught, you know, whatever is neglected slips away.

Whatever is sought for can be caught, you know, whatever is neglected slips away.

Sophocles
Yet I pity the poor wretch, though he's my enemy. He's yoked to an evil delusion, but the same fate could be mine. I see clearly: we who live are all phantoms, fleeing shadows.

Yet I pity the poor wretch, though he's my enemy. He's yoked to an evil delusion, but the same fate could be mine. I see clearly: we who live are all phantoms, fleeing shadows.

Sophocles
Enough words! The criminals are escaping, we the victims, we stand still.

Enough words! The criminals are escaping, we the victims, we stand still.

Sophocles
Not to be born surpasses thought and speech. The second best is to have seen the light and then go back quickly whence we came

Not to be born surpasses thought and speech. The second best is to have seen the light and then go back quickly whence we came

Sophocles
Those who jump to conclusions may go wrong.

Those who jump to conclusions may go wrong.

Sophocles
The only crime is pride.

The only crime is pride.

Sophocles
Death is not the worst evil, but rather when we wish to die and cannot.

Death is not the worst evil, but rather when we wish to die and cannot.

Sophocles
Tell me the news, again, whatever it is... sorrow and I are hardly strangers. I can bear the worst.

Tell me the news, again, whatever it is... sorrow and I are hardly strangers. I can bear the worst.

Sophocles
The end excuses any evil.

The end excuses any evil.

Sophocles
They are dying, the old oracles sent to Laius, now our masters strike them off the rolls. Nowhere Apollo's golden glory now -- the gods, the gods go down.

They are dying, the old oracles sent to Laius, now our masters strike them off the rolls. Nowhere Apollo's golden glory now -- the gods, the gods go down.

Sophocles
Those swift to think are not always secure.

Those swift to think are not always secure.

Sophocles
And if you find I've lied, from this day on call the prophet blind.

And if you find I've lied, from this day on call the prophet blind.

Sophocles
To the man who is afraid everything rustles.

To the man who is afraid everything rustles.

Sophocles
The good leader repeats the good news, keeps the worst to himself.

The good leader repeats the good news, keeps the worst to himself.

Sophocles
That will come when it comes; we must deal with all that lies before us. The future rests with the ones who tend the future.

That will come when it comes; we must deal with all that lies before us. The future rests with the ones who tend the future.

Sophocles
The pain we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all.

The pain we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all.

Sophocles
Never honor the gods in one breath and take the gods for fools the next.

Never honor the gods in one breath and take the gods for fools the next.

Sophocles
And if my present actions strike you as foolish, let's just say I've been accused of folly by a fool.

And if my present actions strike you as foolish, let's just say I've been accused of folly by a fool.

Sophocles
TEIRESIAS: 
Alas, how terrible is wisdom when
it brings no profit to the man that's wise!
This I knew well, but had forgotten it,
else I would not have come here.

TEIRESIAS: Alas, how terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to the man that's wise! This I knew well, but had forgotten it, else I would not have come here.

Sophocles
A man's anger can never age and fade away, not until he dies. The dead alone feel no pain.

A man's anger can never age and fade away, not until he dies. The dead alone feel no pain.

Sophocles
Only a fool could be in love with death.

Only a fool could be in love with death.

Sophocles