Aristophanes Quotes
Aristophanes was an ancient Greek comic playwright whose satire spared no one, from politicians to philosophers. His humor was sharp, irreverent, and surprisingly modern. The observations that survive feel like they could have been written about today's headlines.
His quotes suit political commentary, literary essays, social media posts with a sardonic edge, and speeches that need a well-placed laugh. Browse the collection below.
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“Under every stone lurks a politician.”
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“You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”
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“Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.”
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“Hunger knows no friend but its feeder.”
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“Let each man exercise the art he knows.”
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“The wise learn many things from their enemies.”
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“Love is simply the name for the desire and the pursuit of the whole.”
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“These impossible women! How they do get around us! The poet was right: Can't live with them, or without them.”
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“A man's homeland is wherever he prospers.”
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“Your lost friends are not dead, but gone before, advanced a stage or two upon that road which you must travel in the steps they trod.”
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“Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.”
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“High thoughts must have high language.”
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“Characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.”
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“Shrines! Shrines! Surely you don't believe in the gods. What's your argument? Where's your proof?”
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“A man may learn wisdom even from a foe.”
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“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.”
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“You should not decide until you have heard what both have to say.”
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“Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead the same life.”
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“Why, I'd like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of our trip.”
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“Evil events from evil causes spring.”