Quotes by Aristophanes

“[Y]ou possess all the attributes of a demagogue; a screeching, horrible voice, a perverse, crossgrained nature and the language of the market-place. In you all is united which is needful for govern...”

“You [demagogues] are like the fishers for eels; in still waters they catch nothing, but if they thoroughly stir up the slime, their fishing is good; in the same way it's only in troublous times tha...”

“If it is necessary for us to do anything [in view of peace], direct us and architect. , , .”

“High thoughts must have high language.”

“[Y]ou [man] are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with [woman=] me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.”

“Open your mind before your mouth”

“There is no beast, no rush of fire, like woman so untamed. She calmly goes her way where even panthers would be shamed.”

“MAGISTRATEDon't men grow old?LYSISTRATANot like women. When a man comes homeThough he's grey as grief he can always get a girl.There's no second spring for a woman. None.She can't recall it, nobody...”

“Magistrate: What do you propose to do then, pray?Lysistrata: You ask me that! Why, we propose to administer the treasury ourselvesMagistrate: You do?Lysistrata: What is there in that a surprise to ...”

“Magistrate: May I die a thousand deaths ere I obey one who wears a veil!Lysistrata: If that's all that troubles you, here take my veil, wrap it round your head, and hold your tounge. Then take this...”

“Lysistrata: To seize the treasury; no more money, no more war.”

“Lysistrata: Oh, Calonic, my heart is on fire; I blush for our sex. Men will have it we are tricky and sly...Calonic: And they are quite right, upon my word!Lysistrata: Yet, look you, when the women...”

“Chorus of old men: If we give them the least hold over us, 'tis all up! their audacity will know no bounds! We shall see them building ships, and fighting sea-fights like Artemisia; nay if they wan...”

“Chorus of women: [] Oh! my good, gallant Lysistrata, and all my friends, be ever like a bundle of nettles; never let you anger slacken; the wind of fortune blown our way.”

“To win the people, always cook them some savoury that pleases them.”

“What can you answer? Now be careful, dont arouse my spite, Or with my slipper Ill take you napping,faces slappingLeft and right.”

“Shrines! Shrines! Surely you don't believe in the gods. What's your argument? Where's your proof?”

“Look at the orators in our republics; as long as they are poor, both state and people can only praise their uprightness; but once they are fattened on the public funds, they conceive a hatred for j...”

“Comedy too can sometimes discern what is right.”

“Chorus of old men: How true the saying: 'Tis impossible to live with the baggages, impossible to live without 'em.”