Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
War never takes a wicked man by chance, the good man always.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that it is often the virtuous who face the harsh realities of war, while the wicked evade its consequences.
Sophocles' quote captures a profound observation on the nature of war and morality. It implies that the circumstances of conflict often select those with good character to bear the brunt of its impact, while those with ill intentions may escape unscathed. This raises questions about justice, virtue, and the inherent challenges faced by those who strive to do good in the face of adversity. The juxtaposition of 'wicked' and 'good' suggests a moral lens through which we can view the trials of life, particularly in times of strife.
Themes
WarMoralityGoodnessWickednessAdversity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the impacts of conflict on society.
More from Sophocles
All quotes βNone 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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