My friends, whoever has had experience of evils knows how whenever a flood of ills comes upon mortals, a man fears everything; but whenever a divine force cheers on our voyage, then we believe that the same fate will always blow fair.
— Aeschylus
When strength is yoked with justice, where is a mightier pair than they?
The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.
God always strives together with those who strive.
For children preserve the fame of a man after his death.
What good is it to live a life that brings pains?
For hostile word let hostile word be paid.
What atonement is there for blood spilt upon the earth?
I say you must not win an unjust case by oaths.
But time growing old teaches all things.
Whoever is new to power is always harsh.
Search well and be wise, nor believe that self-willed pride will ever be better than good counsel.
For this is the mark of a wise and upright man, not to rail against the gods in misfortune.
If you pour oil and vinegar into the same vessel, you would call them not friends but opponents.
I willingly speak to those who know, but for those who do not know I forget.
In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house.
The evils of mortals are manifold; nowhere is trouble of the same wing seen.
For the poison of hatred seated near the heart doubles the burden for the one who suffers the disease; he is burdened with his own sorrow, and groans on seeing another's happiness.
Whenever a man makes haste, God too hastens with him.
Of all the gods only death does not desire gifts.
Be bold and boast, just like the cock beside the hen.
Bronze in the mirror of the form, wine of the mind.
For know that no one is free, except Zeus.
From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.
Mourn for me rather as living than as dead.
It is an ill thing to be the first to bring news of ill.
The man who does ill must suffer ill.
By Time and Age full many things are taught.
By polluting clear water with slime you will never find good drinking water.
Death is easier than a wretched life; and better never to have born than to live and fare badly.
I, schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.
A god implants in mortal guilt whenever he wants utterly to confound a house.
I have learned to hate all traitors, and there is no disease that I spit on more than treachery.
What exists outside is a man's concern; let no woman give advice; and do no mischief within doors.
Who apart from the gods is without pain for his whole lifetime's length?
If a man suffers ill, let it be without shame; for this is the only profit when we are dead. You will never say a good word about deeds that are evil and disgraceful.
Alas for the affairs of men! When they are fortunate you might compare them to a shadow; and if they are unfortunate, a wet sponge with one dash wipes the picture away.
And though all streams flow from a single course to cleanse the blood from polluted hand, they hasten on their course in vain.
Neither a life of anarchy nor one beneath a despot should you praise; to all that lies in the middle a god has given excellence.
Know not to revere human things too much.
Of prosperity mortals can never have enough.
It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.
It is best for the wise man not to seem wise.
Justice turns the scale, bringing to some learning through suffering.
The words of truth are simple.
There is no disgrace in an enemy suffering ill at an enemy's hand, when you hate mutually.
For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.
To mourn and bewail your ill-fortune, when you will gain a tear from those who listen, this is worth the trouble.
Self-will in the man who does not reckon wisely is by itself the weakest of all things.
We shall perish by guile just as we slew.
