Birds Quotes

“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; and this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.”
― Aristophanes, Birds

“The trickiest thing is the nature of man, apparent in everything.”
― Aristophanes, Birds

“... men of sense often learn from their enemies. Prudence is the best safeguard. This principle cannot be learned from a friend, but an enemy extorts it immediately. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war. And this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.”
― Aristophanes, Birds

“Chorus [of Birds]: Man is a truly cunning creature.”
― Aristophanes, Birds

“A prudent person after all can pick something
Even from an enemy.”
― Aristophanes, Birds

“EPOPS But, after all, what sort of city would please you best?

EUELPIDES A place where the following would be the most important business transacted.—Some friend would come knocking at the door quite early in the morning saying, "By Olympian Zeus, be at my house early, as soon as you have bathed, and bring your children too. I am giving a nuptial feast, so don't fail, or else don't cross my threshold when I am in distress.”
― Aristophanes, Birds