Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
There is an ancient saying, famous among men, that thou shouldst not judge fully of a man's life before he dieth, whether it should be called blest or wretched.
Interpretation
What this quote means
One should refrain from judging a person's life until after their death, as true value is revealed over time.
This quote by Sophocles reminds us that life's journey is complex and that the true worth of a person's existence can often only be understood in retrospect. Assessing someoneβs life solely based on immediate circumstances may lead to inaccurate conclusions, as individuals evolve and their impact may unfold in unexpected ways over time.
Themes
JudgmentLifePerspectiveWorthReflection
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a eulogy to reflect on a life well-lived.
More from Sophocles
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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Not even Ares battles against necessity.
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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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