Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
Alas, how quickly the gratitude owed to the dead flows off, how quick to be proved a deceiver.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The fleeting nature of gratitude for those who have passed away reveals human fickleness.
This quote by Sophocles reflects on the transient nature of gratitude that people often express towards the deceased. It suggests that after death, the recognition of someone's contributions and importance can quickly fade, highlighting a human tendency to forget or take for granted the sacrifices and impacts made by others, particularly once they are no longer present to remind us of their worth.
Themes
GratitudeDeadMemoryHuman NatureTransience
In practice
Example use cases
A eulogy reflecting on a loved oneβs impact.
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All quotes βNone love the messenger who brings bad news.
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All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.
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You clearly hate to yield, but you will regret it when your anger has passed. Such natures are justly the hardest for themselves to bear.
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There is nothing more hateful than bad advice.
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