“But concern not thou thyself vainly with matters that are of no advantage.” 

“Time in its aging course teaches all things.” 

“But you cannot speak of any glory for happenings that are at once evil and held in dishonor.” 

“What suckling craved the creature, born full-fanged?” 

“Commander against commander, brother against brother, enemy against enemy, I will take my stand. Quick, bring my greaves to protect against spears and stones!” 

“But who can recount all 595 the high daring in the will of man, and in the stubborn hearts of women the all-adventurous passions that couple with man’s overthrow.” 

“Right’s anvil stands staunch on the ground and the smith, Destiny, hammers out the sword. Delayed in glory, pensive from 650 the murk, Vengeance brings home at last a child, to wipe out the stain of blood shed long ago.” 

“I shall select judges of manslaughter, and swear them in, establish a court into all time to come. 485 Litigants, call your witnesses, have ready your proofs as evidence under bond to keep this case secure. I will pick the finest of my citizens, and come back. They shall swear to make no judgment that is not just, and make clear where in this action the truth lies.” 

“I salute you as the Gates of Death” 

“Learning comes through pain.” 

“It can hardly be coincidence that at just that same time, in 508, the Athenians radically changed their political constitution to transfer ultimate power to the people (demos)—in other words, they inaugurated the world’s first democracy. So the first performance of the Oresteia may well mark the fiftieth birthday both of democracy and of theater.” 

“There are times when fear is good. It must keep its watchful place at the heart's controls. There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain.”