Aristophanés Quotes

“By words the mind is winged.”

“Demosthenes: A demagogue must be neither an educated nor an honest man; he has to be an ignoramus and a rogue.”

Birds (414 BC) Context: Informer: My friend, I am asking you for wings, not for words. Pisthetaerus: It's just my words that gives you wings. Informer: And how can you give a man wings with your words? Pisthetaerus: They all start this way. [... ] Informer: So that words give wings? Pisthetaerus: Undoubtedly; words give wings to the mind and make a man soar to heaven. Thus I hope that my wise words will give you wings to fly to some less degrading trade. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+1436)

“Unjust Cause: This art is worth more than ten thousand staters, that one should choose the worse cause, and nevertheless be victorious.”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Kn.+191 Knights, line 191-193 Knights (424 BC)

“Unjust Discourse: To invoke solely the weaker arguments and yet triumph is a talent worth more than a hundred thousand drachmae.”

tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Cl.+1041 Clouds (423 BC)

“Lysistrata: O women, if we would compel the men to bow to Peace, […] We must refrain from every depth of love…. Why do you turn your backs? Where are you going? Why do you bite your lips and shake your heads? Why are your faces blanched? Why do you weep?”

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, p. 361 http://books.google.com/books?id=9vpxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22To+invoke+solely+the+weaker+arguments+and+yet+triumph+is+a+talent+worth+more+than+a+hundred+thousand+drachmae%22 Clouds, line 1041-1042 Clouds (423 BC)

Aristophanés Quotes about men

“Chorus [of Birds]: Full of wiles, full of guile, at all times, in all ways, are the children of Men.”

tr. Lindsay 1925, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Lys.+120 Lysistrata, line 120-121 & 124-127 Lysistrata (411 BC)

“[Choir of] Men: O botheration take you all! How you cajole and flatter.
A hell it is to live with you; to live without, a hell:”

tr. in Bartlett 1968, p. 91 http://books.google.com/books?q=inauthor%3A%22John+Bartlett%22+date%3A1968-1968+%22Full+of+wiles%2C+full+of+guile%2C+at+all+times%2C+in+all+ways%2C+are+the+children+of+Men%22 or Archive.org http://www.archive.org/stream/familiarquotatio017007mbp/familiarquotatio017007mbp_djvu.txt Birds, line 451-452 Compare the earlier-written but later-known: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked", Jeremiah, 17:9 KJV Bible http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17:9&version=9. Birds (414 BC)

“Chremylus: And what good thing can [Poverty] give us, unless it be burns in the bath, and swarms of brats and old women who cry with hunger, and clouds uncountable of lice, gnats and flies, which hover about the wretch's head, trouble him, awake him and say, “You will be hungry, but get up!” […]
Poverty: It's not my life that you describe; you are attacking the existence beggars lead. […] The beggar, whom you have depicted to us, never possesses anything. The poor man lives thriftily and attentive to his work; he has not got too much, but he does not lack what he really needs. […] But what you don't know is this, that men with me are worth more, both in mind and body, than with [Wealth]. With him they are gouty, big-bellied, heavy of limb and scandalously stout; with me they are thin, wasp-waisted, and terrible to the foe. […] As for behavior, I will prove to you that modesty dwells with me and insolence with [Wealth]. […] Look at the orators in our republics; as long as they are poor, both state and people can only praise their uprightness; but once they are fattened on the public funds, they conceive a hatred for justice, plan intrigues against the people and attack the democracy. […]
Chremylus: Then tell me this, why does all mankind flee from you?
Poverty: Because I make them better. Children do the very same; they flee from the wise counsels of their fathers. So difficult is it to see one's true interest.”

tr. Lindsay 1925, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Lys.+1014 Lysistrata, line 1038-1039 Lysistrata (411 BC)

Aristophanés Plutus

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Pl.+535 Plutus, line 535-539 & 548 & 552-554 & 558-561 & 563-564 & 567-570 & 575-578 Plutus (388 BC)

“[Choir of] Women: It should not prejudice my voice that I'm not born a man, if I say something advantageous to the present situation. For I'm taxed too, and as a toll provide men for the nation.”

“[Choir of] Men: There is no beast, no rush of fire, like woman so untamed. She calmly goes her way where even panthers would be shamed.
[Choir of] Women: And yet you are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.”

tr. Lindsay 1925, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Lys.+649 Lysistrata, line 649-651 Lysistrata (411 BC)

“Just Discourse: Do not bandy words with your father, nor treat him as a dotard, nor reproach the old man, who has cherished you, with his age.”

tr. Lindsay 1925, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Lys.+1014 Lysistrata, line 1014-1017 Lysistrata (411 BC)

Aristophanés Quotes about age

“Old age is second childhood.”

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, p. 359 http://books.google.com/books?id=9vpxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Do+not+bandy+words+with+your+father%2C+nor+treat+him+as+a+dotard%2C+nor+reproach+the+old+man%2C+who+has+cherished+you%2C+with+his+age%22 Clouds, line 998-999 Clouds (423 BC)

“Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.”

Clouds, line 1417
Clouds (423 BC)

“Just Cause: [Learn] not to contradict your father in anything; nor by calling him Iapetus, to reproach him with the ills of age, by which you were reared in your infancy.”

William Arrowsmith (tr.) after Aristophanes, in Clouds, line 914 (our emphasis, citing 909-914) This apocryphal line is found quoted only from the Arrowsmith translation. Misattributed Context: [909] Philosophy: Why, you Precocious Pederast! You Palpable Pervert! [910] Sophistry: Pelt me with roses! [910] Philosophy: You Toadstool! O Cesspool! [911] Sophistry: Wreath my hairs with lilies! [911] Philosophy: Why, you Parricide! [912] Sophistry: Shower me with gold! Look, don't you see I welcome your abuse? [913] Philosophy: Welcome it, monster? In my day we would have cringed with shame. [914] Sophistry: Whereas now we're flattered. Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today. (heavily rewritten and embellished tr. Arrowsmith 1962, p. 70 http://books.google.com/books?id=UNlxAAAAIAAJ&q;=%22Times+change.+The+vices+of+your+age+are+stylish+today%22)

“Lamachus: Ah! the Generals! they are numerous, but not good for much!”

tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Cl.+998 Clouds (423 BC)

Aristophanés: Trending quotes

Aristophanés The Acharnians

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Ach.+1078 Acharnians, line 1078 Acharnians (425 BC)

“I pained folk but little and caused them much amusement; my conscience rebuked me for nothing.”

Aristophanés Peace

Peace, line 762-773 (our emphasis on 764) Aristophanes was bald. Peace (421 BC) Context: Chorus [speaking for Aristophanes]: Yet I have not been seen frequenting the wrestling school intoxicated with success and trying to seduce young boys; but I took all my theatrical gear and returned straight home. I pained folk but little and caused them much amusement; my conscience rebuked me for nothing. Hence both grown men and youths should be on my side and I likewise invite the bald to give me their votes; for, if I triumph, everyone will say, both at table and at festivals, “Carry this to the bald man, give these cakes to the bald one, do not grudge the poet whose talent shines as bright as his own bare skull the share he deserves.” (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Peace+762)

“Epops: A man may learn wisdom even from a foe.”

“The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe,”

tr. in Goldstein-Jackson 1983, p. 163 http://books.google.com/books?q=isbn%3A9780389203933+%22A+man+may+learn+wisdom+even+from+a+foe%22+Aristophanes Birds, line 375-382 (our emphasis on 375 and 378-379 and 382) Compare the later: "We can learn even from our enemies", Ovid, Metamorphoses, IV, 428. Birds (414 BC)

Aristophanés Quotes

“Come, bring hither quick a flagon of wine, that I may soak my brain and get an ingenious idea.”

Birds (414 BC) Context: Epops: The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. It is just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, it's the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war; and it's this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth. Leader of the Chorus [leader]: Well then, I agree, let us first hear them, for that is best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+375)

“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.”

Knights, line 90-96 (our emphasis on 95-96) Knights (424 BC) Context: Demosthenes: Do you dare to accuse wine of clouding the reason? Quote me more marvellous effects than those of wine. Look! when a man drinks, he is rich, everything he touches succeeds, he gains lawsuits, is happy and helps his friends. Come, bring hither quick a flagon of wine, that I may soak my brain and get an ingenious idea. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Kn.+90)

“To win the people, always cook them some savoury that pleases them.”

“Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead the same life.”

Source: The Knights

“Philokleon: Let each man exercise the art he knows.”

“[Y]ou possess all the attributes of a demagogue; a screeching, horrible voice, a perverse, crossgrained nature and the language of the market-place. In you all is united which is needful for governing.”

tr. Rogers 1909, p. 110 http://books.google.com/books?id=vptfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Let+each+man+exercise+the+art+he+knows%22 Anonymous ancient proverb, quoted by Aristophanes in Wasps, line 1431 Also later found in Plato (Republic 4.423d, 4.433a-d) and Cicero (Tusc. I.18.41) Misattributed

“Sausage-Seller: You [demagogues] are like the fishers for eels; in still waters they catch nothing, but if they thoroughly stir up the slime, their fishing is good; in the same way it's only in troublous times that you line your pockets.”

Source: The Knights

“Æschylus: High thoughts must have high language.”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Kn.+864 ὅπερ γὰρ οἱ τὰς ἐγχέλεις θηρώμενοι πέπονθας. ὅταν μὲν ἡ λίμνη καταστῇ, λαμβάνουσιν οὐδέν· ἐὰν δ᾽ ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω τὸν βόρβορον κυκῶσιν, αἱροῦσι· καὶ σὺ λαμβάνεις, ἢν τὴν πόλιν ταράττῃς. Knights, line 864-867 Dialog aimed at the politician Cleon, symbolizing demagogues for the author. Knights (424 BC) Source: The Knights

Aristophanés The Frogs

rewritten and embellished tr. Fitts 1955, p. 108 http://books.google.com/books?id=CdZxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22High+thoughts+must+have+high+language%22 Frogs (405 BC) Source: Frogs and Other Plays

“It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.”

“Even if you persuade me, you won’t persuade me.”

Birds (414 BC) Context: Epops: You're mistaken: men of sense often learn from their enemies. Prudence is the best safeguard. This principle cannot be learned from a friend, but an enemy extorts it immediately. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war. And this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties. Chorus [leader]: It appears then that it will be better for us to hear what they have to say first; for one may learn something at times even from one's enemies. (tr. Anon. 1812 rev. in Ramage 1864, p. 45 http://books.google.com/books?id=AoUCAAAAQAAJ&pg;=PA45)

“Poet: “Straton wanders among the Scythian nomads, but has no linen garment. He is sad at only wearing an animal's pelt and no tunic.” Do you get what I mean?
Pisthetaerus: I understand that you want me to offer you a tunic. Hi! you (To the acolyte.) take off yours; we must help the poet.”

“Praxagora: Woman is adept at getting money for herself and will not easily let herself be deceived; she understands deceit too well herself.”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+941 Birds, line 941-947 (our emphasis on 947) Birds (414 BC)

“Leader of the Chorus: An insult directed at the wicked is not to be censured; on the contrary, the honest man, if he has sense, can only applaud.”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Eccl.+236 Ecclesiazusae, line 236-238 Ecclesiazusae (392 BC)

“Man is naturally deceitful ever, in every way! ”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Kn.+1274 Knights, line 1274-1275 Knights (424 BC)

“Dicaepolis: Comedy too can sometimes discern what is right. I shall not please, but I shall say what is true.”

(tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, p. 326 http://books.google.com/books?id=Cm4NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA326) Birds (414 BC) Variant: Man naturally is deceitful, ever indeed, and always, in every one thing.

Aristophanés The Acharnians

tr. Athen. 1912, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Ach.+500 Acharnians, line 500-501 Acharnians (425 BC)

“Hierocles: You will never make the crab walk straight.”

Aristophanés Peace

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Peace+1083 Peace, line 1083 Peace (421 BC)

“Sosias: The love of wine is a good man's failing.”

Aristophanés The Wasps

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Wasps+80 Wasps, line 80 Wasps (422 BC)

“Chorus: Under every stone lurks a politician.”

Aristophanés Thesmophoriazusae

tr. in Bartlett 1968, p. 91 http://books.google.com/books?q=inauthor%3A%22John+Bartlett%22+date%3A1968-1968+%22Under+every+stone+lurks+a+politician%22 or Archive.org http://www.archive.org/stream/familiarquotatio017007mbp/familiarquotatio017007mbp_djvu.txt Thesmophoriazusae, line 529-530 A play on the Greek proverb "Under every stone lurks a scorpion". In context, "orator" was a synonym for "politician". Thesmophoriazusae (411 BC)

“Dicaeopolis: Well, how are things at Megara?
Megarian: We are crying with hunger at our firesides.
Dicaeopolis: The fireside is jolly enough with a piper. But what else is doing at Megara, eh?
Megarian: What else? When I left for the market, the authorities were taking steps to let us die in the quickest manner.
Dicaeopolis: That is the best way to get you out of all your troubles.
Megarian: True.
Dicaeopolis: What other news of Megara? What is wheat selling at?
Megarian: With us it is valued as highly as the very gods in heaven!”

Aristophanés The Acharnians

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Ach.+751 Acharnians, line 751-759 Acharnians (425 BC)

“Agathon: One must not try to trick misfortune, but resign oneself to it with good grace.”

Aristophanés Thesmophoriazusae

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 2, p. 278 http://books.google.com/books?id=6fxxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22one+must+not+try+to+trick+misfortune,+but+resign+oneself+to+it+with+good+grace%22 tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Thes.+198 Thesmophoriazusae, line 198-199 Thesmophoriazusae (411 BC)

“Strepsiades: Whirl is King, having driven out Zeus.”

“Man is a truly cunning creature.”

tr. in Lippmann 1929, p. 1 http://books.google.com/books?id=-E4WFG-G30sC&pg=PA1 and 4 http://books.google.com/books?id=-E4WFG-G30sC&pg=PA4 Clouds, line 828 Clouds (423 BC)

“Bdelycleon: It is so that you may know only those who nourish you”

(abridged tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+451) Birds (414 BC)

Aristophanés The Wasps

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Wasps+704 Wasps (422 BC)

“Phobokleon: Hunger knows no friend but its feeder.”

Aristophanés The Wasps

embellished tr. Parker 1962, p. 55 http://books.google.com/books?id=EdpxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Hunger+knows+no+friend+but+its+feeder%22 Wasps, line 704 Wasps (422 BC)

“Chorus: [We] must look beneath every stone, lest it conceal some orator ready to sting us.”

Aristophanés Thesmophoriazusae

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Thes.+529 Thesmophoriazusae (411 BC)

“Blepsidemus: There is no honest man! not one, that can resist the attraction of gold!”

Aristophanés Plutus

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Pl.+362 Plutus, line 362-363 Plutus (388 BC)

“Strepsiades: But come, by the Earth, is not Zeus, the Olympian, a god?
Socrates: What Zeus? Do not trifle. There is no Zeus.”

“Chremylus: [Wealth], the most excellent of all the gods.”

tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Aristoph.+Cl.+366 Clouds, line 366-367 (our emphasis on 367) The Greek-mythology equivalent of "There is no God." Clouds (423 BC)

Aristophanés Plutus

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Pl.+230 Plutus, line 230 Plutus (388 BC)

“Strepsiades: ‘Tis the Whirlwind, that has driven out Zeus and is King now.”

“Strepsiades: Vortex reigns, having expelled Zeus.”

tr. Athen. 1912, vol. 1, p. 350 http://books.google.com/books?id=9vpxAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Tis+the+Whirlwind%2C+that+has+driven+out+Jupiter+and+is+King+now%22 Clouds (423 BC)

“Chorus [leader]: Ye Children of Man! whose life is a span, / Protracted with sorrow from day to day, / Naked and featherless, feeble and querulous, / Sickly, calamitous creatures of clay!”

tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Cl.+828 Clouds (423 BC)

“Leader of the Chorus: Weak mortals, chained to the earth, creatures of clay as frail as the foliage of the woods, you unfortunate race, whose life is but darkness, as unreal as a shadow, the illusion of a dream.”

heavily rewritten tr. Frere 1839, p. 38 http://books.google.com/books?id=Bk8JAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Sickly%2C+calamitous+creatures+of+clay%22 Birds (414 BC)

“Leader of the Chorus: Let's see. What shall our city be called? […]
Euelpides: Some name borrowed from the clouds, from these lofty regions in which we dwell — in short, some well-known name.
Pisthetaerus: Do you like Nephelococcygia?”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+685 Birds, line 685-687 Birds (414 BC)

“Aeschylus: It is the compelling power of great thoughts and ideas to engender phrases of equal size.”

tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Birds+812 Birds, line 812 & 817-819 (our emphasis on 819) Birds (414 BC)

Aristophanés The Frogs

tr. Dillon 1995, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Frogs+1058 Frogs, line 1058-1059 Frogs (405 BC)

“Chorus [leader]: Come now, ye men, in nature darkling, like to the race of leaves, of little might, figures of clay, shadowy feeble tribes, wingless creatures of a day, miserable mortals, dream-like men.”

“Praxagora: I want all to have a share of everything and all property to be in common; there will no longer be either rich or poor; […] I shall begin by making land, money, everything that is private property, common to all. […]
Blepyrus: But who will till the soil?
Praxagora: The slaves.”

tr. Hickie 1853, vol. 1, p. 338 http://books.google.com/books?id=Cm4NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA338 Birds (414 BC)