A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.
— Antigone
Sophocles was an ancient Greek tragedian, one of three whose plays have survived in full. He wrote more than 120 plays, but only seven survive complete: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes and Oedipus at Colonus.
For almost 50 years he was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of Athens, held during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in 30 competitions, won 24, and was never judged lower than second place. His most famous tragedies feature Oedipus and Antigone and are generally known as the Theban plays. Antigone and Oedipus Rex are his most quoted works in our library.
For almost 50 years he was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of Athens, held during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in 30 competitions, won 24, and was never judged lower than second place. His most famous tragedies feature Oedipus and Antigone and are generally known as the Theban plays. Antigone and Oedipus Rex are his most quoted works in our library.
Most quoted works
- Antigone 25
- Oedipus Rex 8
- The Complete Greek Tragedies 5
- The Oedipus Cycle: Oedipus Rex/Oedipus at Colonus/Antigone 4
- Ajax 3
- Oedipus at Colonus 3
Sister - if all this is true, what could I do or undo?
— Antigone
We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.
— Antigone
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.
— Oedipus Rex
A city which belongs to just one man is no true city
— Antigone
All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.
— Antigone
The soul that has conceived one wickedness can nurse no good thereafter.
— Philoctetes
But if I am young, thou shouldest look to my merits, not to my years.
— Antigone
If you try to cure evil with evilyou will add more pain to your fate.
— Ajax
Money! Money's the curse of man, none greater. That's what wrecks cities, banishes men from homes, Tempts and deludes the most well-meaning soul, Pointing out the way to infamy and shame.
— Antigone
May the dead forgive me, I can do no other / But as I am commanded; to do more is madness.
— Antigone
Which would you choose if you could: pleasure for yourself despite your friendsor a share in their grief?
— Ajax
I have been a stranger here in my own land: All my life
— Antigone
For Time calls only once, and that determines all.
— Electra
For if any man thinks that he is alone is wise--that in speech, or in mind, he hath no peer--such a soul, when laid open, is ever found empty.
— Antigone