Euripides 480 or 485-406 BC John Bartlett


1
Old men’s prayers for death are lying prayers, in which they abuse old age and long extent of life. But when death draws near, not one is willing to die, and age no longer is a burden to them.
Alcestis. 669.
2
The gifts of a bad man bring no good with them.
Medea. 618.
3
Moderation, the noblest gift of Heaven.
Medea. 636.
4
I know, indeed, the evil of that I purpose; but my inclination gets the better of my judgment. 1
Medea. 1078.
5
There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change. 2
Iphigenia in Tauris. 721.
6
Slowly but surely withal moveth the might of the gods. 3
Bacchæ. 882.
7
Thou didst bring me forth for all the Greeks in common, not for thyself alone.
Iphigenia in Aulis. 1386.
8
Slight not what ’s near through aiming at what ’s far. 4
Rhesus. 482.
9
The company of just and righteous men is better than wealth and a rich estate.
Ægeus. Frag. 7.
10
A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
Æolus. Frag. 32.



11
Time will explain it all. He is a talker, and needs no questioning before he speaks.
Æolus. Frag. 38.
12
Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
Alexander. Frag. 44.
13
The nobly born must nobly meet his fate. 5
Alcmene. Frag. 100.
14
Woman is woman’s natural ally.
Alope. Frag. 109.
15
Man’s best possession is a sympathetic wife.
Antigone. Frag 164.
16
Ignorance of one’s misfortunes is clear gain. 6
Antiope. Frag. 204.
17
Try first thyself, and after call in God; For to the worker God himself lends aid. 7
Hippolytus. Frag. 435.
18
Second thoughts are ever wiser. 8
Hippolytus. Frag. 436.
19
Toil, says the proverb, is the sire of fame.
Licymnius. Frag. 477.
20
Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.
Meleager. Frag. 523.
21
A woman should be good for everything at home, but abroad good for nothing.
Meleager. Frag. 525.
22
Silver and gold are not the only coin; virtue too passes current all over the world.
Œdipus. Frag. 546.
23
When good men die their goodness does not perish, But lives though they are gone. As for the bad, All that was theirs dies and is buried with them.
Temenidæ. Frag. 734.
24
Every man is like the company he is wont to keep.
Phœoenix. Frag. 809.
25
Who knows but life be that which men call death, And death what men call life?
Phrixus. Frag. 830.
26
Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future.
Phrixus. Frag. 927.
27
The gods visit the sins of the fathers upon the children.
Phrixus. Frag. 970.

Note 1.
See Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Quotation 15. Also Garth, Quotation 2. [back]

Note 2.
The darkest hour is that before the dawn.—Hazlitt: English Proverbs. [back]

Note 3.
See Herbert, Quotation 23. [back]

Note 4.
See Heywood, Quotation 67. [back]

Note 5.
Noblesse oblige.—Bohn: Foreign Proverbs. [back]

Note 6.
See Davenant, Quotation 2. [back]

Note 7.
See Herbert, Quotation 28. [back]

Note 8.
See Henry, Quotation 4. [back]

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