Top 500 Sophocles Quotes (2025 Update)
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101. “Man’s worst ill is stubbornness of heart.”

— Sophocles

102. “For the wretched one night is like a thousand; for someone faring well death is just one more night.”

— Sophocles

103. “To err from the right path is common to mankind.”

— Sophocles

104. “How terrible it is to have wisdom when it does not benefit those who have it.”

— Sophocles

105. “Gratitude to gratitude always gives birth.”

— Sophocles

106. “To me so deep a silence portends some dread event; a clamorous sorrow wastes itself in sound.”

— Sophocles

107. “A man who takes pleasure in speaking continuously fools himself in thinking he is not unpleasant to those around him.”

— Sophocles

108. “A prudent man should neglect no circumstances.”

— Sophocles

109. “I ask this one thing: let me go mad in my own way.”

— Sophocles

110. “Better to die, and sleep The never-waking sleep, than linger on And dare to live when the soul’s life is gone.”

— Sophocles

111. “The tyrant is a child of Pride Who drinks from his sickening cup Recklessness and vanity, Until from his high crest headlong He plummets to the dust of hope.”

— Sophocles

112. “We must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day had been.”

— Sophocles

113. “The tyrant is a child of pride.”

— Sophocles

114. “There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise.”

— Sophocles

115. “Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? Best to live lightly, as one can, unthinkingly.”

— Sophocles

116. “I write a woman’s oaths in water.”

— Sophocles

117. “Gentle time will heal our sorrows.”

— Sophocles

118. “Weep not, everything must have its day.”

— Sophocles

119. “It is the brave man’s part to live with glory, or with glory die.”

— Sophocles

120. “Profit is sweet, even if it comes from deception.”

— Sophocles

121. “What you can’t enforce, do not command.”

— Sophocles

122. “Many things are formidable, and none more formidable than man.”

— Sophocles

123. “Many the wonders but nothing walks stranger than man.”

— Sophocles

124. “Despite so many ordeals, my advanced age and the nobility of my soul make me conclude that all is well.”

— Sophocles

125. “Wisdom is a dreadful thing when it brings no knowledge to its possessor.”

— Sophocles

126. “Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand.”

— Sophocles

127. “Laws can never be enforced unless fear supports them.”

— Sophocles

128. “If men live decently it is because discipline saves their very lives for them.”

— Sophocles

129. “Bear up, my child, bear up; Zeus who oversees and directs all things is still mighty in heaven.”

— Sophocles

130. “My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards – but I am a queen!”

— Sophocles

131. “Isn’t it the sweetest mockery to mock our enemies?”

— Sophocles

132. “King as thou art, free speech at least is mine. To make reply; in this I am thy peer.”

— Sophocles

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

— Sophocles

134. “Men should pledge themselves to nothing; for reflection makes a liar of their resolution.”

— Sophocles

135. “Stranger in a strange country.”

— Sophocles

136. “Thou lov’st to speak in riddles and dark words.”

— Sophocles

137. “Despair often breeds disease.”

— Sophocles

138. “Sleep’s the only medicine that gives ease.”

— Sophocles

139. “For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues.”

— Sophocles

140. “It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong.”

— Sophocles

141. “No greater evil can a man endure Than a bad wife, nor find a greater good Than one both good and wise; and each man speaks As judging by the experience of his life.”

— Sophocles

142. “What greater wound is there than a false friend?”

— Sophocles

143. “The happiest life is to be without thought.”

— Sophocles

144. “Every wind is fare when we are flying from misfortune.”

— Sophocles

145. “Love, you mock us for your sport.”

— Sophocles

146. “Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue.”

— Sophocles

147. “Ignorance is a tough evil to conquer.”

— Sophocles

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

— Sophocles

149. “Though a man be wise it is no shame for him to live and learn.”

— Sophocles

150. “Mortal man must always look to his ending. And none can be called happy until that day when he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace.” – Sophocles.”

— Sophocles