Quotes by Euripides

Explore 33 approved quotes attributed to Euripides.

Portrait of Euripides — Marie-Lan Nguyen · Public domain

5th-century BC Athenian playwright · c. 480s BC – c. 400s BC

Euripides was the awkward one of the three great Athenian tragedians — less reverent than Aeschylus, less balanced than Sophocles, and far more interested in the people tragedy usually leaves at the edges. His women argue, his gods behave badly, and his heroes are often unimpressive up close. Athenian audiences awarded him few prizes and later generations copied him more than either rival. His quotable lines have a modern, sceptical edge, as if he had already heard the official version and doubted it.

Known for: Alcestis, Andromache, The Bacchae

About Euripides