Quotes from Medea

Quotations follow the Robin Robertson translation (Free Press, 2008) — our recommended edition.

1. 2

   Of all things that have life and intelligence, we women are the most wretched creatures on earth.

2. 3

   I would gladly take my stand in battle array three times o'er, than once give birth.

3. 4

   Of all things that have life and sense we women are the most hapless creatures; first must we buy a husband at a great price, and o'er ourselves a tyrant set which is an evil worse than the first.

4. 5

   I know indeed what evil I intend to do; but passion, that cause of direst woes to mortal man, hath triumphed o'er my sober thoughts.

5. 6

   A woman is normally afraid of everything — but when she is wronged in love, there is no heart more murderous.

6. 7

   Ah! would to Heaven the good ship Argo ne'er had sped its course to the Colchian land through the misty blue Symplegades.

7. 8

   O my babes, my babes, let your mother kiss your hands. Ah! hands I love so well, O lips most dear to me!

8. 9

   Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; for they win the fairest fame who live their life like me.

9. 10

   Back to their source the holy rivers turn their tide. Order and the universe are being reversed.

10. 11

    Many a fate doth Zeus dispense, high on his Olympian throne; oft do the gods bring things to pass beyond man's expectation.

11. 12

    When in excess and past all limits Love doth come, he brings not glory or repute to man.

12. 13

    That, which we thought would be, is not fulfilled, while for the unlooked-for god finds out a way; and such hath been the issue of this matter.

13. 14

    Whoso hath skill to fence with words in an unjust cause, incurs the heaviest penalty.

14. 15

    For amongst mortals no man is happy; wealth may pour in and make one luckier than another, but none can happy be.

15. 16

    For if thou shouldst import new learning amongst dullards, thou wilt be thought a useless trifler.