Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that being bound by circumstance is the greatest hardship for humanity.
Sophocles expresses the idea that the limitations and constraints imposed by fate or fortune are the most significant challenges that people face. This reflects the belief that external forces can dictate one's life path and that overcoming these constraints is essential to achieving true freedom and fulfillment. The quote emphasizes the struggle against the whims of fortune and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
Themes
ConstraintFortuneEvilMenLifeStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on resilience, one might quote this to highlight the importance of overcoming life’s challenges.
More from Sophocles
All quotes →None 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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