Classics ~ Sayings ~ Sophocles

SOPHOCLES

χάρις χάριν γὰρ ἐστιν ἡ τίκτουσ' ἀεί.

For one kindness is always the begetter of another.

Ajax 522

πᾶς ἀνὴρ αὑτῷ πονεῖ.

Every man labours for himself.

Ajax 1366

πολλὰ τὰ δεινὰ κοὐδὲν ἀνθρώπου δεινότερν πέλει.

Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man.

Antigone 332

καὶ φημὶ δρᾶσαι κοὐκ ἀπαρνοῦμαι τὸ μή.

And I say that I did it and I do not deny it.

Antigone 443

ἀλλ' ἡ τυραννὶς πολλά τ' ἄλλ' εὐδαιμονεῖ
κἄξεστιν αὐτῇ δρᾶν λέγειν θ' ἃ βούλεται.

But kingship is fortunate in many other respects, and in particular it has the power to do and say what it likes.

Antigone 506

μή νυν προσεύχου μηδέν· ὡς πεπρωμένης
οὐκ ἔστι θνητοῖς συμφορᾶς ἀπαλλαγή.

Do not now make any prayers at all; as there is no escape from destined calamity for mortals.

Antigone 1337

τῷ τεκόντι πᾶν φίλον.

To its parent every child is dear.

Oedipus Coloneus 1108

κακῶν γὰρ δυσάλωτος οὐδείς.

For none is beyond the reach of misfortune.

Oedipus Coloneus 1722

ἔννους τὰ καινὰ τοῖς πάλαι τεκμαίρεται.

A rational man interprets new events by means of earlier ones.

Oedipus Tyrannus 916

γῆρας διδάσκει πολλὰ καὶ χρόνου τριβή.

Old age and wear of time teach many things.

[ Fragment ]

ἔστ' ἐλπὶς ἡ βόσκουσα τοὺς πολλοὺς βροτῶν.

It is hope that maintains most of mankind.

[ Fragment ]

οὐδὲν ῥῆμα σὺν κέρδει κακόν.

No word that is profitable is bad.

χωρὶς τὸ τ' εἰπεῖν πολλὰ καὶ τὰ καιρία.

It is a different thing to say many things and things to the purpose.

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