Quotes from The Frogs

Quotations follow the Peter Meineck translation (Hackett Publishing, 1998) — our recommended edition.

1. 2

   Brekekekex, ko-ax, ko-ax!

2. 3

   It's not the poet's job to teach them what is right — they know that when they're children. The poet teaches what is noble.

3. 4

   For boys a teacher at school is found, but we, the poets, are teachers of men.

4. 5

   'Twere best to rear no lion in the state: But having reared, 'tis best to humour him.

5. 6

   What is it in a poet one admires? Wise counsels, which make the citizens better.

6. 7

   I want a genuine poet, 'For some are not, and those that are, are bad.'

7. 8

   Who knows if death be life, and life be death, And breath be mutton broth, and sleep a sheepskin?

8. 9

   Farewell then, Aeschylus, great and wise, Go, save our state by the maxims rare Of thy noble thought.

9. 10

   Then both come hither, since I needs must weigh The art poetic like a pound of cheese.

10. 11

    Shall I crack any of those old jokes, master, At which the audience never fail to laugh?