Aristophanes quotes - page 2

Leader of the Chorus: An insult directed at the wicked is not to be censured; on the contrary, the honest man, if he has sense, can only applaud. (Aristophanes)

Aeschylus: It is the compelling power of great thoughts and ideas to engender phrases of equal size.

Aristophanes

Unjust Discourse: To invoke solely the weaker arguments and yet triumph is a talent worth more than a hundred thousand drachmae. (tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, p. 361)

Aristophanes

These impossible women! How they do get around us! The poet was right: Can't live with them, or without them.

Aristophanes

Sausage-Seller: You [demagogues] are like the fishers for eels; in still waters they catch nothing, but if they thoroughly stir up the slime, their fishing is good; in the same way it's only in troublous times that you line your pockets. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus)

Aristophanes

Poet: "Straton wanders among the Scythian nomads, but has no linen garment. He is sad at only wearing an animal's pelt and no tunic.” Do you get what I mean? Pisthetaerus: I understand that you want me to offer you a tunic. Hi! you (To the acolyte.) take off yours; we must help the poet.

Aristophanes

[Choir of] Men: O botheration take you all! How you cajole and flatter. A hell it is to live with you; to live without, a hell: (tr. Lindsay 1925, Perseus)

Aristophanes

One must not try to trick misfortune, but resign oneself to it with good grace.

Aristophanes

Strepsiades: Whirl is King, having driven out Zeus. (tr. in Lippmann 1929, p. 1 and 4)

Aristophanes

Bdelycleon: It is so that you may know only those who nourish you (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus)

Aristophanes

Strepsiades: Vortex reigns, having expelled Zeus.
(tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, Perseus) (Aristophanes)

Leader of the Chorus: Let's see. What shall our city be called? [...] Euelpides: Some name borrowed from the clouds, from these lofty regions in which we dwell - in short, some well-known name. Pisthetaerus: Do you like Nephelococcygia? (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus)

Aristophanes

Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.

Aristophanes

Your lost friends are not dead, but gone before, advanced a stage or two upon that road which you must travel in the steps they trod.

Aristophanes

[Y]ou possess all the attributes of a demagogue; a screeching, horrible voice, a perverse, crossgrained nature and the language of the market-place. In you all is united which is needful for governing.

Aristophanes

You should not decide until you have heard what both have to say.

Aristophanes

The wise learn many things from their enemies.

Aristophanes

Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.

Aristophanes

Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.

Aristophanes

Even if you persuade me, you won't persuade me.

Aristophanes

To win the people, always cook them some savoury that pleases them. (Aristophanes)

Evil events from evil causes spring.

Aristophanes

Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.

Aristophanes

Shall I crack any of those old jokes, master, At which the audience never fail to laugh.

Aristophanes

Lysistrata: O women, if we would compel the men to bow to Peace, [...] We must refrain from every depth of love.... Why do you turn your backs? Where are you going? Why do you bite your lips and shake your heads? Why are your faces blanched? Why do you weep?

Aristophanes

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Aristophanes

Aristophanes - Image

Occupation: Greek Poet
Born: 448 BC
Died: 386 BC
Quotes count: 88
Wikipedia: Aristophanes

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