Aeschylus quotes

Born
c. 523 BC Eleusis.

Died
c. 456 BC.

Occupation
Poet, writer.

Aeschylus was an ancient Greek tragedian. He is often described as the father of tragedy. Academics’ knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier tragedies is largely based on inferences from his surviving plays. 

I willingly speak to those who know, but for those who do not know I forget.
– Aeschylus

I know how men in exile feed on dreams.
– Aeschylus

When strength is yoked with justice, where is a mightier pair than they?
– Aeschylus

When a match has equal partners then I fear not.
– Aeschylus

For somehow this disease inheres in tyranny, never to trust one’s friends.
– Aeschylus

The words of truth are simple.
– Aeschylus

From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.
– Aeschylus

Of prosperity mortals can never have enough.
– Aeschylus

Everyone’s quick to blame the alien.
– Aeschylus

In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house.
– Aeschylus

It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.
– Aeschylus

By polluting clear water with slime you will never find good drinking water.
– Aeschylus

We shall perish by guile just as we slew.
– Aeschylus

There is no sickness worse for me than words that to be kind must lie.
– Aeschylus

It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.
– Aeschylus

Don’t you know this, that words are doctors to a diseased temperment?
– Aeschylus

Time as he grows old teaches all things.
– Aeschylus

Obedience is the mother of success and is wedded to safety.
– Aeschylus

We must pronounce him fortunate who has ended his life in fair prosperity.
– Aeschylus

Who, except the gods, can live time through forever without any pain?
– Aeschylus

For the poison of hatred seated near the heart doubles the burden for the one who suffers the disease; he is burdened with his own sorrow, and groans on seeing another’s happiness.
– Aeschylus

Alas for the affairs of men! When they are fortunate you might compare them to a shadow; and if they are unfortunate, a wet sponge with one dash wipes the picture away.
– Aeschylus

There are times when fear is good. It must keep its watchful place at the heart’s controls.
– Aeschylus

If a man suffers ill, let it be without shame; for this is the only profit when we are dead. You will never say a good word about deeds that are evil and disgraceful.
– Aeschylus

The evils of mortals are manifold; nowhere is trouble of the same wing seen.
– Aeschylus

For a murderous blow let murderous blow atone.
– Aeschylus

In every tyrant’s heart there springs in the end this poison, that he cannot trust a friend.
– Aeschylus

Justice turns the scale, bringing to some learning through suffering.
– Aeschylus

And one who is just of his own free will shall not lack for happiness; and he will never come to utter ruin.
– Aeschylus

A god implants in mortal guilt whenever he wants utterly to confound a house.
– Aeschylus

It is an easy thing for one whose foot is on the outside of calamity to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer.
– Aeschylus

He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.
– Aeschylus

The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.
– Aeschylus

Be bold and boast, just like the cock beside the hen.
– Aeschylus

The man who does ill must suffer ill.
– Aeschylus

By Time and Age full many things are taught.
– Aeschylus

To be free from evil thoughts is God’s best gift.
– Aeschylus

Of all the gods only death does not desire gifts.
– Aeschylus

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.
– Aeschylus

I have learned to hate all traitors, and there is no disease that I spit on more than treachery.
– Aeschylus

Who apart from the gods is without pain for his whole lifetime’s length?
– Aeschylus

For know that no one is free, except Zeus.
– Aeschylus

There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.
– Aeschylus

For the impious act begets more after it, like to the parent stock.
– Aeschylus

And though all streams flow from a single course to cleanse the blood from polluted hand, they hasten on their course in vain.
– Aeschylus

What good is it to live a life that brings pains?
– Aeschylus

Know not to revere human things too much.
– Aeschylus

For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.
– Aeschylus

If you pour oil and vinegar into the same vessel, you would call them not friends but opponents.
– Aeschylus

Destiny waits alike for the free man as well as for him enslaved by another’s might.
– Aeschylus

God always strives together with those who strive.
– Aeschylus

For this is the mark of a wise and upright man, not to rail against the gods in misfortune.
– Aeschylus

Whenever a man makes haste, God too hastens with him.
– Aeschylus

The man whose authority is recent is always stern.
– Aeschylus

It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers.
– Aeschylus

The one knowing what is profitable, and not the man knowing many things, is wise.
– Aeschylus

I, schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.
– Aeschylus

What atonement is there for blood spilt upon the earth?
– Aeschylus

It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.
– Aeschylus

You have been trapped in the inescapable net of ruin by your own want of sense.
– Aeschylus

Mourn for me rather as living than as dead.
– Aeschylus

Since long I’ve held silence a remedy for harm.
– Aeschylus

Bronze in the mirror of the form, wine of the mind.
– Aeschylus

He who goes unenvied shall not be admired.
– Aeschylus