Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
Isn't it the sweetest mockery to mock our enemies?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mocking our enemies provides a sense of amusement and power over them.
In this quote by Sophocles, the speaker reflects on the irresistible allure of mocking oneβs enemies. This mockery serves as a means of asserting dominance and finding humor in adversities, revealing how laughter can sometimes be both a weapon and a defense mechanism in the face of conflict.
Themes
MockeryEnemiesHumorPowerConflict
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about rivalry, one might say, 'As Sophocles pointed out, isn't it the sweetest mockery to mock our enemies?' to emphasize the power dynamics at play.
More from Sophocles
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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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