Aristophanes - High Quotes

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High thoughts must have high language.

Aristophanes

Epops: You're mistaken: men of sense often learn from their enemies. Prudence is the best safeguard. This principle cannot be learned from a friend, but an enemy extorts it immediately. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war. And this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.
Leader: It appears then that it will be better for us to hear what they have to say first; for one may learn something at times even from one's enemies.

Aristophanes

Epops: The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. It is just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, it's the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war; and it's this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth.
Leader: Well then, I agree, let us first hear them, for that is best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school.

Aristophanes