Aeschylus was a Greek tragedian who wrote almost 90 Greek tragedies. His surviving works allowed historians to begin studying the genre of Greek tragedies. His most popular work to date remains to be Prometheus Bound which tells the mythical tale of Zeus punishing Titan for not providing humans with the gift of fire. He is also credited for having played an important role in promoting theatre and drama in his time. He promoted adding the use of a second character in his plays which was unheard of as most plays featured a single actor who could assume different characters in a play. His works feature philosophical knowledge about life, love, character, and human emotions and can greatly encourage you when you feel lost in life.
Here Are Some of the Most Astute Aeschylus Quotes
1.“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget; falls drop by drop upon the heart; until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” ― Aeschylus
2.“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.” ― Aeschylus
3.“My will is mine…I shall not make it soft for you.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
4.“Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain, Drips in our hearts as we try to sleep, so men against their will; learn to practice moderation. Favours come to us from gods.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
5.“For it would be better to die once and for all than to suffer pain for all one’s life.” ― Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound
6.“It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.” ― Aeschylus
7.“For somehow this is tyranny’s disease, to trust no friends.” ― Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound
8.“There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain.” ― Aeschylus, The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides
9.“Time, as it grows old, teaches all things.” ― Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound
10.“To learn is to be young, however old.” ― Aeschylus
11.“They sent forth men to battle, but no such men return; And home, to claim their welcome, Come ashes in an urn.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
12.“In war, the first casualty is truth.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
13.“I gave them hope, and so turned away their eyes from death.” ― Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound
14.“I know how men in exile feed on dreams.” ― Aeschylus
15.“His resolve is not to seem, but to be, the best.” ― Aeschylus, The Seven Against Thebes
16.“She looked just like a painting dying to speak.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
17.“It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.” ― Aeschylus
18.“It’s not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath.” ― Aeschylus
19.“Rumours voiced by women come to nothing.” ― Aeschylus, Agamemnon
20.“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
21.“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
22.“The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.” – Aeschylus
23.“There is no sickness worse for me than words that to be kind must lie.” – Aeschylus
24.“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
25.“And one who is just of his own free will shall not lack for happiness; and he will never come to utter ruin.” – Aeschylus
26.“Death is easier than a wretched life; and better never to have born than to live and fare badly.” – Aeschylus
27.“I, schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.” – Aeschylus
28.“My friends, whoever has had experience of evils knows how whenever a flood of ills comes upon mortals, a man fears everything; but whenever a divine force cheers on our voyage, then we believe that the same fate will always blow fair.” – Aeschylus
29.“For this is the mark of a wise and upright man, not to rail against the gods in misfortune.” – Aeschylus
30.“He who goes unenvied shall not be admired.” – Aeschylus
31.“Destiny waits alike for the free man as well as for him enslaved by another’s might.” – Aeschylus
32.“In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house.” – Aeschylus
33.“”Honour thy father and thy mother” stands written among the three laws of most revered righteousness” – Aeschylus
34.“You have been trapped in the inescapable net of ruin by your own want of sense.” – Aeschylus
35.“It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish.” – Aeschylus
36.“Tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” – Aeschylus
37.“Zeus, first cause, prime mover; for what thing without Zeus is done among mortals?” – Aeschylus
38.“There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” – Aeschylus
39.“The reward of suffering is experience.” – Aeschylus
40.“Unanimous hatred is the greatest medicine for a human community.” – Aeschylus
41.“ATHENA: You wish to be called righteous rather than act right. […] I say, wrong must not win by technicalities.” – Aeschylus
42.“The moving light, rejoicing in its strength, Sped from the pyre of pine, and urged its way, In golden glory, like some strange new sun…” – Aeschylus
43.“In visions of the night, like dropping rain, descend the many memories of pain.” – Aeschylus
44.“[Hermes addresses Prometheus :] To you, the clever and crafty, bitter beyond all bitterness, who has sinned against the gods in bestowing honors upon creatures of a day–to you, thief of fire, I speak.” – Aeschylus
45.“And there they ring the walls, the young, the lithe. The handsome hold the graves they won in Troy; the enemy earth rides over those who conquered.” – Aeschylus
46.“But the lust for power never dies- men cannot have enough. No one will lift a hand to send it from his door, to give it warning, ‘Power, never come again.” – Aeschylus
47.“The gods! Long since they hold us in contempt, Scornful of gifts thus offered by the lost! Why should we fawn and flinch away from doom?” – Aeschylus
48.“Bethink thee of the adage, ‘Call none blest, till peaceful death have crowned a life of weal.” – Aeschylus
49.“Sorrow with me, Sorrowful one! Tell me, whose voice proclaims Things true and sad, Naming by all their old, unhappy names.”– Aeschylus
50.“But there is a cure in the house, and not outside it, no, not from others but from them, their bloody strife. We sing to you, dark gods beneath the earth.” – Aeschylus
51.“At home there tarries like a lurking snake, biding its time, a wrath unreconciled, a wily watcher, passionate to slake, In blood, resentment for a murdered child.” – Aeschylus
52.“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.” – Aeschylus
53.“Neither the life of anarchy nor the life enslaved by tyrants, no, worship neither. Strike the balance all in all and god will give you power.” – Aeschylus
54.“A world of wealth is trash if men are wanting; men who have no wealth never find fortune smiling as their strength deserves.” – Aeschylus
55.“For many among men are they who set high the show of honor, yet break justice.” – Aeschylus
56.“Only when man’s life comes to its end in prosperity can one call that man fortunate.” – Aeschylus
57.“Horror gives place to wonder at your true account; the rest outstrips our comprehension; we give up.” – Aeschylus
Tragedian Aeschylus Quotes That Will REWIRE Your Mind
Aeschylus was an ancient Greek tragedian and is often described as the father of tragedy. Academic knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier Greek tragedy is largely based on inferences made from reading his surviving plays. Today we shall look at some of his most profound and deep quotes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p2i76ucEmQ
Summary
Aeschylus was an ancient Greek tragedian that had a gift with words. He is considered to be among the best dramatists and tragedians of the time. Some also call him the founder of all serious Greek dramas. His most famous works include Prometheus Bound and The Oresteia trilogy. Aeschylus had a wealth of knowledge and a vast experience in life to have said such knowledgeable words. We hope you enjoyed reading Aeschylus’ words and will take away some of his wisdom for your own life and decisions. If you would like to learn more, feel free to read similar quotes from other articles below.
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Image Credit – “Aeschylus, Roman copy of a Greek original, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen” by Prof. Mortel is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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