Don’t kill the messenger.
Sophocles
- Occupations
- tragedy writer, playwright, writer
- Notable works
- Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone
Facts: Wikidata (CC0), as of 2026-07-09
Don't kill the messenger. Antigone
Sophocles
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.
Sophocles
For God hates utterly The bray of bragging tongues.
Sophocles
For God hates utterly The bray of bragging tongues. Antigone
Sophocles
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.
Sophocles
How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there’s no help in truth!
Sophocles
How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in truth! Oedipus Rex
Sophocles
I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare – I have no use for him, either.
Sophocles
I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare - I have no use for him, either. Antigone
Sophocles
It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong.
Sophocles
Knowledge must come through action; you can have no test which is not fanciful, save by trial.
Sophocles
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
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. Antigone
Sophocles
No man loves life like him that’s growing old.
Sophocles
No man loves life like him that's growing old. Acrisius, fragment 64
Sophocles
Numberless are the world’s wonders, but none More wonderful than man.
Sophocles
One word Frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.
Sophocles
One word Frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love. Oedipus at Colonus
Sophocles
Our ship of fate, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last.
Sophocles
Rash indeed is he who reckons on the morrow, or haply on days beyond it; for tomorrow is not, until today is past.
Sophocles
Sons are the anchors of a mother’s life.
Sophocles
Sons are the anchors of a mother's life. Phaedra, fragment 612
Sophocles
The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.
Sophocles
There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise.
Sophocles
There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise. Antigone
Sophocles
Time eases all things.
Sophocles
Truly, to tell lies is not honorable; But when the truth entails tremendous ruin, To speak dishonorably is pardonable.
Sophocles
Truly, to tell lies is not honorable; But when the truth entails tremendous ruin, To speak dishonorably is pardonable. Creusa, fragment 323
Sophocles
Wisdom is a curse when wisdom does nothing for the man who has it.
Sophocles
Wisdom outweighs any wealth.
Sophocles