Not to be born at all Is best, far best that can befall, Ne… - Sophocles

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Not to be born at all
Is best, far best that can befall,
Next best, when born, with least delay
To trace the backward way.
For when youth passes with its giddy train,
Troubles on troubles follow, toils on toils,
Pain, pain forever pain;
And none escapes life's coils.
Envy, sedition, strife,
Carnage and war, make up the tale of life.

Sophocles

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About Sophocles

Sophocles (Greek: Σοφοκλῆς; 496 – 406 BCE) was a Greek playwright, dramatist, priest, and politician of Classical Athens. He was also a general for the Athenian Empire in the Peloponnesian Wars, and during his service he led the battle against the Peloponnesian Island of Samos.[citation needed]

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Native Name: Σοφοκλῆς

All quotes from Sophocles Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Sophocles:

Euripides Aeschylus William Shakespeare Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Friedrich Schiller

Additional quotes by Sophocles

All my love gone for nothing. Days of my love, years of my love.

Unnatural silence signifies no good.

Which would you choose if you could:
pleasure for yourself despite your friends
or a share in their grief?

Not to be born at all Is best, far best that can befall, Next best, when born, with least delay To trace the backward way. For when youth passes with… - Sophocles

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