173 quotes
Mortal men should pledge themselves to moderate friendships only, not to such as reach the very heart's core.
Hippolytus (-428)
Who knows but life be that which men call death,
And death what men call life?
Yet all men are constrained
To love their fatherland; who saith not so,
Sporteth with words, his heart is otherwhere.
Phoenissae (-409)
But cleverness is not wisdom, nor is the thinking on things unfit for mortals.
Bacchae (-405)
For naught is there more sweet unto an aged sire than a daughter's love.
The Suppliants (-420)
Man's whole life is full of anguish; no respite from his woes he finds.
Hippolytus (-428)
A very master in his craft the man, who can force fools to be wise!
Hippolytus (-428)
The misfortunes of their masters are a concern to good servants.
Bacchae (-405)
The sea washes away the stains and wounds of the world.
Iphigenia in Tauris (-414)
For there are charms and spells to soothe the soul.
Hippolytus (-428)
Never say that marriage has more of joy than pain.
Alcestis (-438)
In this world second thoughts, it seems, are best.
Hippolytus (-428)
He is like the very men whose company he enjoys.
Every man is like the company he is wont to keep.
Phœnissæ. Frag. 809. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922)
Restrain thyself, for haste no justice brings;
Unhurried counsels are the crown of wisdom.
Phoenissae (-409)
When one with honeyed words but evil mind
Persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.
Orestes (-408)
For when the noble countenance disgrace, poor folk of course will think that it is right.
Hippolytus (-428)
Those too I hate who make profession of purity, though in secret reckless sinners.
Hippolytus (-428)
We show ourselves unhappy lovers of whatever light there is that shines on earth.
Hippolytus (-428)
Yet do I hold that mortal foolish who strives against the stress of necessity.
Hercules Furens (-415)