Shrines! Shrines! Surely you don't believe in the gods. What's your argument? Where's your proof?
AristophanesRead
To plunder, to lie, to show your arse, are three essentials for climbing high.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often requires unethical behavior and a disregard for morality.
This quote by Aristophanes suggests that achieving great success or climbing to high positions may involve dishonest actions such as deception and shamelessness. It highlights the dark side of ambition, where individuals might resort to unethical methods to attain power or status, provoking a reflection on moral values in relation to success.
Themes
SuccessDeceptionAmbitionEthics
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on corporate ethics, one might use this quote to highlight the moral compromises some make for success.
More from Aristophanes
All quotes β[Y]ou [man] are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with [woman=] me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.
AristophanesRead
Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.
AristophanesRead
Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.
AristophanesRead
When men drink, then they are rich and successful and win lawsuits and are happy and help their friends. Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.
AristophanesRead
These impossible women! How they do get around us! The poet was right: Can't live with them, or without them.
AristophanesRead
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What's wrong with men?" Tenar inquired cautiously. As cautiously, lowering her voice, Moss replied, "I don't know, my dearie. I've thought on it. Often I've thought on it. The best I can say it is like this. A man's in his skin, see, like a nut in its shell." She held up her long, bent, wet fingers as if holding a walnut. "It's hard and strong, that shell, and it's all full of him. Full of grand man-meat, man-self. And that's all. That's all there is. It's all him and nothing else, inside.
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This is the reason we cannot complain of life: it keeps no one against his will.
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People talk of the pathos and failure of plain women; but it is a more terrible thing that a beautiful woman may succeed in everything but womanhood.
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