Oedipus Rex quotes

Thou art thyself the unclean thing.

— Tiresias

And, behold, For them that aid me not, I pray no root Nor seed in earth may bear them corn nor fruit, No wife bear children, but this present curse Cleave to them close and other woes yet worse.

— Oedipus

All without light!--And never light shall shine On this dark evil that is mine ... and thine.

— Tiresias

Thou shalt not, knowing, turn and leave us! See, We all implore thee, all, on bended knee.

— Oedipus

A seer? No human thing Born on the earth hath power for conjuring Truth from the dark of God.

— Jocasta

What were mine eyes to me When naught to be seen was good?

— Oedipus

To see, to endure, to hear words kindly spoken, Should I have joy in such? Out, if ye love your breath, Cast me swift unto solitude, unbroken By word or touch.

— Oedipus

Fair season maketh all things fair.

— Creon

Therefore, O Man, beware, and look toward the end of things that be, The last of sights, the last of days; and no man's life account as gain Ere the full tale be finished and the darkness find him without pain.

— Chorus

A fearful thing is knowledge, when to know Helpeth no end. I knew this long ago, But crushed it dead. Else had I never come.

— Tiresias

It falls on me then. I will search and clear This darkness.--Well hath Phoebus done, and thou Too, to recall that dead king, even now, And with you for the right I also stand, To obey the God and succour this dear land.

— Oedipus

And I will no more turn mine eyes This way nor that for all their prophecies.

— Jocasta

Thou spawn of Night, not I nor any free And seeing man would hurt a thing like thee.

— Oedipus

I am Fortune's child, Not man's; her mother face hath ever smiled Above me, and my brethren of the sky, The changing Moons, have changed me low and high.

— Oedipus

"By him was Thebes raised up, and after fell!" Nay, lift us till we slip no more. Oh, let That bird of old that made us fortunate Wing back; be thou our Oedipus again.

— Priest

"Out! Out! Ye never more shall see Me nor the anguish nor the sins of me. Ye looked on lives whose like earth never bore, Ye knew not those my spirit thirsted for: Therefore be dark for ever!"

— Messenger

'Tis the wise man's way To judge the morrow by the yester day;

— Jocasta

What? Do ye fear to touch a man so sore Stricken? Nay, tremble not. My misery Is mine, and shall be borne by none but me.

— Oedipus

But me: let no man ask This ancient city of my sires to give Harbour in life to me.

— Oedipus