The Quotes canon
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Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Being born2 quotes
Not to be born is, past all prizing, best. — Sophocles · 406 BCNot to be born surpasses thought and speech.
The second best is to have seen the light
And then to go back quickly whence we came. — Sophocles · 406 BCIgnorance is bliss2 quotes
How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be
When there's no help in truth! — Sophocles · 430 BCThe happiest life consists in ignorance. — Sophocles · 442 BCThe human condition2 quotes
Not to be born is, past all prizing, best. — Sophocles · 406 BCOf all human ills, greatest is fortune's wayward tyranny. — Sophocles · 430 BCAging1 quote
No man loves like him that's growing old. — Sophocles · 400 BCBad luck1 quote
Of all human ills, greatest is fortune's wayward tyranny. — Sophocles · 430 BCBad news1 quote
Nobody likes the man who brings bad news. — Sophocles · 442 BCBearer of bad news1 quote
Nobody likes the man who brings bad news. — Sophocles · 442 BCBragging and boasting1 quote
For God hates utterly
The bray of bragging tongues. — Sophocles · 442 BCDeath as a blessing1 quote
Not to be born surpasses thought and speech.
The second best is to have seen the light
And then to go back quickly whence we came. — Sophocles · 406 BCDiscreet women1 quote
Silence gives the proper grace to women. — Sophocles · 440 BCEffects of grief1 quote
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver. — Sophocles · 442 BCEffects of time1 quote
Time eases all things. — Sophocles · 430 BCForthrightness1 quote
In view of that, conceal nothing! For all things are unfolded by all-seeing and all-hearing time. — Sophocles · 468 BCFortune1 quote
Of all human ills, greatest is fortune's wayward tyranny. — Sophocles · 430 BCGifts of God1 quote
Reason is God's crowning gift to man. — Sophocles · 442 BCGrief1 quote
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver. — Sophocles · 442 BCHappiness1 quote
The happiest life consists in ignorance. — Sophocles · 442 BCIgnorance1 quote
The happiest life consists in ignorance. — Sophocles · 442 BCLove1 quote
Love, unconquerable,
Waster of rich men, keeper
Of warm lights and all-night vigil
In the soft face of a girl:
Sea-wanderer, forest-visitor!
Even the pure immortals cannot escape you,
And mortal man, in his one day's dusk,
Trembles before your glory. — Sophocles · 442 BCMan and animals1 quote
There are many wonderful things, and nothing is more wonderful than man. — Sophocles · 441 BCMothers and sons1 quote
Sons are the anchors of a mother's life. — Sophocles · 400 BCNature of man1 quote
There are many wonderful things, and nothing is more wonderful than man. — Sophocles · 441 BCOpenness1 quote
In view of that, conceal nothing! For all things are unfolded by all-seeing and all-hearing time. — Sophocles · 468 BCParents and children1 quote
Sons are the anchors of a mother's life. — Sophocles · 400 BCPatriarchy1 quote
Silence gives the proper grace to women. — Sophocles · 440 BCPolitical upheaval1 quote
Our ship of state, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last. — Sophocles · 442 BCPower of love1 quote
Love, unconquerable,
Waster of rich men, keeper
Of warm lights and all-night vigil
In the soft face of a girl:
Sea-wanderer, forest-visitor!
Even the pure immortals cannot escape you,
And mortal man, in his one day's dusk,
Trembles before your glory. — Sophocles · 442 BCReason1 quote
Reason is God's crowning gift to man. — Sophocles · 442 BCTime1 quote
Time eases all things. — Sophocles · 430 BCTruth1 quote
How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be
When there's no help in truth! — Sophocles · 430 BC