Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
For mortal kind taketh thought only for the day, and hath no more surety than the shadow of smoke.
Obstinacy standing alone is the weakest of all things in one whose mind is not possessed by wisdom.
The seed of mortals broods o'er passing things, and hath nought surer than the smoke-cloud's shadow.
Nor does night conceal men's deeds of ill, but whatsoe'er thou dost, think that some God beholds it.
Be it mine to draw from wisdom's fount, pure as it flows, that calm of soul which virtue only knows.
When a tongue fails to send forth appropriate shafts, there might be a word to act as healer of these.
I, schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.
It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers.
For the marriage bed ordained by fate for men and women is stronger than an oath and guarded by Justice.
But from the good health of the mind comes that which is dear to all and the object of prayer-happiness.
Truly upon mortals cometh swift of foot their evil and his offence upon him that trespasseth against Right.
But I must bear my destiny as best I can, knowing well that there is no resisting the strength of necessity.
And one who is just of his own free will shall not lack for happiness; and he will never come to utter ruin.
They sent forth men to battle, But no such men return; And home, to claim their welcome, Come ashes in an urn
Whoever is just willingly and without compulsion will not lack happiness; he will never be utterly destroyed.
The cure is in the house, not brought by other hands from distant places, but by its own, in agony and blood.
Oh, it is easy for the one who stands outside the prison-wall of pain to exhort and teach the one who suffers.
To make wail and lament for one's ill fortune, when one will win a tear from the audience, is well worthwhile.
Beyond age, leaf withered, man goes three footed no stronger than a child is, a dream that falters in daylight.
It is an easy thing for one whose foot is on the outside of calamity to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer.
Arrogance is truly the child of impiety, but from health of soul comes happiness, dear to all, much prayed for.
Unions in wedlock are perverted by the victory of shameless passion that masters the female among men and beasts.
ATHENA: You wish to be called righteous rather than act right. [...] I say, wrong must not win by technicalities.
To mourn and bewail your ill-fortune, when you will gain a tear from those who listen, this is worth the trouble.
On me the tempest falls. It does not make me tremble. O holy Mother Earth, O air and sun, behold me. I am wronged.
For there below ground sits the Dark God, strong to call men to judgment; he sees all, and writes it in his memory.
When the black and mortal blood of man has fallen to the ground ... who then can sing spells to call it back again?
This is a sickness rooted and inherent in the nature of a tyranny: that he that holds it does not trust his friends.
The gods at will can shape a gladder strain, and from the lamentations at the graveside, a song of triumph may arise.
Overly persuasive a woman's ordinance spreads far, traveling fast; but fast dying a rumor voiced by a woman perishes.
For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.
When we sleep the soul is lit up... by many eyes, and with them, we can see everything that we cannot see in the daytime.
But I will place this carefully fed pig Within the crackling oven; and, I pray, What nicer dish can e'er be given to man.
For Hades is mighty in calling men to account below the earth, and with a mind that records in tablets he surveys all things.
And though all streams flow from a single course to cleanse the blood from polluted hand, they hasten on their course in vain.
Out of respect, a man must veil his words when talking with a woman, but with a man he can frankly say whatever's on his mind.
The burning gaze of a young woman, such as hath tasted man, shall not escape me; for I have a spirit keen to mark these things.
Neither a life of anarchy nor one beneath a despot should you praise; to all that lies in the middle a god has given excellence.
Neither a life of anarchy nor a life under a despot should you praise. To all that lies in the middle has a god given excellence.
Only one accomplishment is beyond both the power and the mercy of the Gods. They cannot make the past as though it had never been.
Old men, what are they? Fast fading the leaf, Three-footed they walk, yet frail as a child, As a dream set afloat in the daylight.
The moving light, rejoicing in its strength, Sped from the pyre of pine, and urged its way, In golden glory, like some strange new sun.
No bribes. Nothing that passes under the roof of a temple Or under the roof of the mouth, can appease heaven's anger Or deflect its aim.
Respect the altar of Justice and do not, looking to profit, dishonor it by spurning with godless foot; for punishment will come upon you.
O Death the Healer, scorn thou not, I pray, To come to me: of cureless ills thou art The one physician. Pain lays not its touch Upon a corpse.
Ah, lives of men! When prosperous they glitter - Like a fair picture; when misfortune comes - A wet sponge at one blow has blurred the painting.
Alas, poor men, their destiny. When all goes well a shadow will overthrow it. If it be unkind one stroke of a wet sponge wipes all the picture out.
I pray for no more youth To perish before its prime; That Revenge and iron-heated War May fade with all that has gone before Into the night of time.
Justice shines in very smoky homes, and honors the righteous; but the gold-spangled mansions where the hands are unclean she leaves with eyes averted.
If a man suffers ill, let it be without shame; for this is the only profit when we are dead. You will never say a good word about deeds that are evil and disgraceful.