The collection / 622 fragments

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Passages, proverbs, and questions carried across the ages.

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01c. 451 BC

War loves to seek its victims in the young.

Sophocles / quote

02c. 451 BC

If it were possible to heal sorrow by weeping and to raise the dead with tears, gold were less prized than grief.

Sophocles / quote

03c. 451 BC

Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.

Sophocles / quote

04c. 451 BC

The truth is always the strongest argument.

Sophocles / quote

05c. 451 BC

The dice of Zeus fall ever luckily.

Sophocles / quote

06c. 451 BC

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

Sophocles / quote

07c. 451 BC

No oath too binding for a lover.

Sophocles / quote

08c. 451 BC

Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand.

Sophocles / quote

09c. 451 BC

A wise player ought to accept his throws and score them, not bewail his luck.

Sophocles / quote

10c. 451 BC

If I am Sophocles, I am not mad; and if I am mad, I am not Sophocles.

Sophocles / quote

11c. 445 BC

Old men's prayers for death are lying prayers, in which they abuse old age and long extent of life. But when death draws near, not one is willing to die, and age no longer is a burden to them.

Euripides / quote

12c. 445 BC

The gifts of a bad man bring no good with them.

Euripides / quote

13c. 445 BC

Moderation, the noblest gift of Heaven.

Euripides / quote

14c. 445 BC

I know, indeed, the evil of that I purpose; but my inclination gets the better of my judgment.

Euripides / quote

15c. 445 BC

There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change.

Euripides / quote

16c. 445 BC

Slowly but surely withal moveth the might of the gods.

Euripides / quote

17c. 445 BC

Thou didst bring me forth for all the Greeks in common, not for thyself alone.

Euripides / quote

18c. 445 BC

Slight not what 's near through aiming at what 's far.

Euripides / quote

19c. 445 BC

The company of just and righteous men is better than wealth and a rich estate.

Euripides / quote

20c. 445 BC

A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

Euripides / quote

21c. 445 BC

Time will explain it all. He is a talker, and needs no questioning before he speaks.

Euripides / quote

22c. 445 BC

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

Euripides / quote

23c. 445 BC

The nobly born must nobly meet his fate.

Euripides / quote

24c. 445 BC

Woman is woman's natural ally.

Euripides / quote