Gift box with gathered untied raspberry ribbon

Original artwork, not a still

Medea

Euripides

The gifts of a bad man bring no good with them.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker holds that presents from a wicked person carry no benefit. What looks generous is emptied by its source, so accepting such a gift brings no real advantage and may bring harm. The line warns against trusting kindness that comes from someone of bad character.

Context reviewed

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