Silence is an ornament for women.
SophoclesRead
Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the human tendency to prioritize wealth over other aspects of life.
Sophocles highlights a universal truth about human nature, suggesting that regardless of the length of one's life, the pursuit of wealth often overshadows other important values and experiences. The statement illustrates how many individuals consistently chase material gain, placing it above relationships, achievements, and personal fulfillment.
Themes
MoneyWealthLifeValueHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on human behavior, one might use the quote to illustrate the obsession with materialism.
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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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