SOPHOCLES—IN HIS OWN WORDS
Quotes from Oedipus at Colonus
Selected passages from Ian Johnston's Oedipus at Colonus Translation
The following passages are drawn from Ian Johnston's translation of Oedipus at Colonus, published by Richer Resources Publications. Book and line numbers are provided for each selection.
"A man who cannot see requires help."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, line 24
"Never yet has any godless man
escaped the gods."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 301–302
"Do not shame the good name of Athens
by lowering yourselves to profane deeds."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 303–306
"What decent man
does not help himself
by helping others?"
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 332–334
"Only gods
are never troubled
by old age and death.
All other things
are finally destroyed
by all-conquering Time."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 702–706
"The strongest body
grows old."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, line 707
"Nothing remains unchanged forever."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 715–716
"In times of trouble anger does not help."
—Theseus, Oedipus at Colonus, line 683
"Give me advice once you have heard my story.
Until then, spare me."
—Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, lines 684–685
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