Ag. I envy thee, old man, aye, and every man who leads a life secure, unknown and unrenowned; but little I envy those in office.
At. And yet ‘tis there we place the be-all and end-all of existence.
Ag. Aye, but that is where the danger comes; and ambition, sweet though it seems, brings sorrow with its near approach. At one time the unsatisfied claims of Heaven upset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it. (View Highlight)
None of mortals is prosperous or happy to the last, for none was ever born to a painless life. (View Highlight)
a mind unstable is an unjust possession, disloyal to friends. (View Highlight)
But the man of real worth ought not to change his manners in the hour of prosperity, but should then show himself most staunch to friends, when his own good fortune can help them most effectually. (View Highlight)
Friends should sympathize with friends in sorrow. (View Highlight)
Men’s natures vary, and their habits differ, but true virtue is always manifest. Likewise the training that comes of education conduces greatly to virtue; for not only is modesty wisdom, but it has also the rare grace of seeing by its better judgment what is right; whereby a glory, ever young, is shed o’er life by reputation. A great thing it is to follow virtue’s footsteps (View Highlight)
A wondrous thing is motherhood, carrying with it a potent spell, wherein all share, so that for their children’s sake they will endure affliction. (View Highlight)
for I will not lend myself to thy husband’s subtle tricks; no! for it will be my name that kills thy child, although it wieldeth not the steel. Thy own husband is the actual cause, but I shall no longer be guiltless, (View Highlight)
Why, what is a seer? A man who with luck tells the truth sometimes, with frequent falsehoods, (View Highlight)
Destroy me not before my time, for sweet it is to look upon the light, and force me not to visit scenes below. (View Highlight)
Full of trouble then, it seems, is the race of mortals, full of trouble verily and ‘tis ever Fate’s decree ; that man should find distress. (View Highlight)
I have no right at all to cling too fondly to my life; for thou didst not bear me for myself alone, but as a public blessing to all Hellas. (View Highlight)