“Who can hope for nothing should despair of nothing.”
Original: (la) Qui nil potest sperare, desperate nihil.
Source: Tragedies, Medea (c. 50 CE), Line 163 (trans. A. J. Boyle)
Quotes from workMedea
Seneca the YoungerOriginal title Medea (Latin)
Medea is a fabula crepidata of about 1027 lines of verse written by Seneca. It is generally considered to be the strongest of his earlier plays. It was written around 50 CE. The play is about the vengeance of Medea against her betraying husband Jason and King Creon. The leading role, Medea, delivers over half of the play's lines. Medea addresses many themes, one being that the title character represents "payment" for humans' transgression of natural laws. She was sent by the gods to punish Jason for his sins. Another theme is her powerful voice that cannot be silenced, not even by King Creon.
“Unjust rule never abides continually.”
Iniqua nunquam regna perpetuo manent.
Medea, line 196; (Medea)
Alternate translation: Unjust dominion cannot be eternal. (translator unknown)
Alternate translation: Authority founded on injustice is never of long duration. (translator unknown).
Tragedies
“Who profits by a sin has done the sin.”
Cui prodest scelus, is fecit.
Medea, lines 500-501; (Medea)
Alternate translation: He who profits by crime commits it. (translator unknown).
Tragedies
