The 25 best famous quotes by Sophocles

A great Greek poet who left us reflections and famous phrases for posterity.

Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC) born in Colonus, near Athens, was a prominent tragic poet of Ancient Greece. Among his most famous works are Oedipus Rex and Antigone.

Although he was a prolix author, only seven of his tragedies were preserved intact, and they were a touchstone for the tragic genre.

Sophocles' Phrases

With the aim of approaching the work and thoughts of this exceptional Greek poet, in today's article we have set out to compile the best famous quotes and phrases of Sophocles..

Related articles:

• "The 70 best famous quotes of Socrates".
• "The 12 best phrases of Empedocles".

1. Truth can more than reason.

A sample of his realism.

2. The same story always repeats itself: each individual thinks only of himself.

Egocentrism seems to be an inherent characteristic of the human species, according to Sophocles.

3. It is a noble thing, even for an old man, to learn.

Constant learning gives us a better future.

4. He who is good in the family is also a good citizen.

An affectionate and dedicated family member, a responsible and civic citizen.

5. He who dispenses with a friend is like he who dispenses with his life.

Existence is too short not to have loyal people by your side.

6. Get married; if by chance you meet a good woman, you will be happy; if not, you will become a philosopher, which is always useful for a man.

In any case, being happy is in your hands.

7. You cannot judge a man's life until death has brought it to an end.

There is always time to change course... until death prevents us from doing so.

8. For those who are afraid, everything is noise.

One of those metaphorical phrases of Sophocles that tells us about a kind of hypochondria.

9. Children are the anchors that tie mothers to life.

About maternal love, infinite and eternal.

10. The most beautiful human work is to be useful to others.

That others enjoy your company is one of the best rewards.

11. Lying down in the midst of misery, the soul sees much.

When we are sunk, the soul emerges afloat.

12. You ask me whether you should marry or not; for whatever you do, you will regret it.

Ironic phrase of Sophocles in the face of a citizen's doubt.

13. The heavens never help a man who does not want to act.

If you are not capable of taking action, do not expect the universe to send you riches.

14. The greatest joy is the unexpected.

A reflection on happiness.

15. Knowledge is the most considerable part of happiness.

Coinciding with other Greek thinkers, Sophocles attached great importance to accumulating knowledge.

16. It is terrible to speak well when one is wrong.

A great use of oratory does not guarantee having the truth.

17. It is common to make mistakes. But when one has erred, it is not lacking in will, nor courage, to try to correct the error and not to be obstinate in it. Stubbornness is the other name for stupidity.

To correct one's mistakes is a sign of maturity and responsibility.

18. A lie never lives to become old.

It has very short legs.

19. The worst evil of man is thoughtlessness.

He who does not know how to think, will not know how to live.

20. Constant and perpetual wealth is virtue.

Great reflection of Sophocles.

21. There are many wondrous things, but none like man. He has resources for everything; only death he has not been able to avoid.

Optimistic about the human species, Sophocles spoke of the creative potential of each person.

22. The perverse man is known in a single day; to know the just man requires more time.

On the types of people and their ethical or perverse background.

23. Death is not the greatest of evils: it is worse to want to die and not be able to do it.

A sentence that seems to talk about the need to legalize euthanasia.

24. Never having been born can be the greatest of favors.

A somewhat pessimistic view of existence.

25. It is always good to sail when fleeing from evil.

A metaphor to apply to life.