Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
Ugly deeds are taught by ugly deeds.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Negative actions often lead to more negative actions and behavior.
This quote by Sophocles suggests that unethical or immoral actions create a cycle where such behavior is learned and perpetuated. It highlights the idea that those who commit wrongdoings often teach others to do the same, fostering an environment where ugliness in character is normalized and repeated.
Themes
Ugly DeedsMoralityEthicsBehaviorCycleNegativity
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the consequences of crime, one might cite this quote to illustrate how negative behaviors can lead to further immoral actions.
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
I cannot discover that anyone knows enough to say definitely what is and what is not possible.
Henry FordRead
There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
In working with those who are dying, I offer another human being a spacious environment with my mind in which they can die as they need to die. I have no right to define how another person should die. I'm just there to help them transition, however they need to do it.
Ram DassRead
"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.
Sydney J. HarrisRead
That's all an angel is....an idea of God.
Meister EckhartRead
I started in business journalism from the outside, so when I started writing about markets and business, I was struck by the fact that markets seemed to work well even though people are often irrational, lack good information and are not perfect in the way they think about decisions.
James SurowieckiRead