8467. Sophocles. c. 496 B.C.-406 B.C. John Bartlett, comp. 1919. Familiar Quotations, 10th ed.

John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.


NUMBER:	8467
AUTHOR:	Sophocles (c. 496 B.C.–406 B.C.)
QUOTATION:	There is an ancient saying, famous among men, that thou shouldst not judge fully of a man’s life before he dieth, whether it should be called blest or wretched. 1
ATTRIBUTION:	Trachiniæ, 1.

Note 1.
The saying “Call no man happy before he dies” was ascribed to Solon Herodotus, i. 32. [back]