Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Euripedes NULL

Greek Tragic Playwright, Last of the Three Great Tragedians of Classical Athens (others being Aeschylus and Sophocles)

"A tongue without reins, definance, unwisdom - their end is disaster. But the life of quiet gfood, the wisdom that accepts - these abaide unshaken, preserving, sustaining the houses of men."

"Cleverness is not wisdom."

"Enough sufficeth for the wise."

"Every man is like the company he is wont to keep."

"Everything that depends on necessity is its slave in wise men's eyes."

"Goodness can be taught, and any man who knows what goodness is knows evil too, because he judges from the good."

"Inside the souls of wealthy men bleak famine lives while minds of stature struggle trapped in starving bodies. How then can man distinguish man, what test can he use? The test of wealth? That measure means poverty of mind; of poverty? The pauper owns one thing, the sickness of his condition, a compelling teacher of evil; by nerve in war? Yet who, when a spear is cast across his face, will stand to witness his companion’s courage? We can only toss our judgments random on the wind."

"It is wise even in adversity to listen to reason."

"Many are the natures of men, various their manners of living, yet a straight path is always the right one; and lessons deeply taught lead man to paths of righteousness; reverence, I say, is wisdom and by its grace transfigures - so that we seek virtue with a right judgment. From all of this springs honor bringing ageless glory into Man’s life. Oh, a mighty quest is the hunting out of virtue."

"No lie ever grows old."

"No man on earth is truly free. All are slaves of money or necessity. Public opinion or fear of prosecution forces each one, against his conscience, to conform."

"One man does not see everything."

"Passion overcometh sober thought; and this is cause of direst ills to men."

"Plain and unvarnished are the words of truth."

"Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends."

"Silence is an answer to a wise man."

"That man is happiest who lives from day to day and asks no more, garnering the simple goodness of a life."

"The man who knows when not to act is wise. To my mind, bravery is forethought."

"The mixing bowl of friendship, the love of one for the other, must be tempered. Love must not touch the marrow of the soul. Our affections must be breakable chains that we can cast them off or tighten them."

"The wisest men follow their own direction."

"Virtue proceeds through toil."

"What proud man is not odious?"

"Wise men take occasion by the hand."

"A good custom is surer than law."

"Among mortals second thoughts are wisest."

"Better to die in action than sitting still."

"Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness."

"Happiness is not steadfast, but transient."

"He who submits to fate without complaint is wise."

"Here all mankind is equal: rich and poor alike, they love their children."

"Do not consider painful what is good for you."

"Custom joined with time shall deaden pain."

"Death takes no denial."

"Events will take their course, it is not good our being angry at them; he is happiness who wisely turns them to the account."

"His worth shines forth the brightest who in hope always confides; the abject soul despairs."

"It makes small difference to the dead if they are buried as tokens of luxury. All this is an empty glorification left for those who live."

"Life has no blessing like a prudent friend."

"Much effort, much prosperity."

"Necessity will teach a man, however stupid, to be wise."

"Nothing has more strength than dire necessity."

"Poverty teaches a man to play the villain from necessity."

"Reason can wrestle and overthrow terror."

"Silence is sometimes better than speech, and speech sometimes than silence."

"Slight not what's near, though aiming at what's far."

"Some wisdom must thou learn from one who's wise."

"Sweet is the memory of past labor."

"The care of God for us is a great thing, if a man believe it at heart: it plucks the burden of sorrow from him."

"The language of truth is simple."

"The state has no worse foe than a tyrant."

"The stillest tongue can be the truest friend."