Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
It's impossible to speak what it is not noble to do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Noble actions should be the foundation of our speech and expression.
This quote by Sophocles emphasizes the profound connection between our words and our actions, suggesting that true nobility is not just in deed but also in the honesty of what we communicate. Speaking about noble concepts demands that our actions align with those ideals; if we fail to act nobly, we lack the authenticity to speak of such virtues.
Themes
NobleSpeechActionsHonestyIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about integrity, one might use this quote to remind others of the importance of aligning their words with their deeds.
More from Sophocles
All quotes βNone love the messenger who brings bad news.
SophoclesRead
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.
SophoclesRead
Not even Ares battles against necessity.
SophoclesRead
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.
SophoclesRead
There is nothing more hateful than bad advice.
SophoclesRead
Similar quotes
People should be more like animals . . . they should be more intuitive; they should not be too conscious of what they do while they do it.
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Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
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Woman must come of age by herself. This is the essence of 'coming of age'-to learn how to stand alone. She must learn not to depend on another, nor to feel she must prove her strength by competing with another. In the past, she has swung between these two opposite poles of dependence and competition, of Victorianism and Feminism. Both extremes throw her off balance; neither is the center, the true center of being a whole woman. She must find her true center alone. She must become whole.
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Most people are just trying to get through the day. Sophisticated people learn how to get from the day.
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While there's life, there's hope.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Both wit and understanding are trifles without integrity; it is that which gives value to every character. The ignorant peasant, without fault, is greater than the philosopher with many; for what is genius or courage without a heart?
Oliver GoldsmithRead