In misfortune, which friend remains a friend?

Meaning of the quote

This quote by the Greek poet Euripides is asking a simple but powerful question: when things go wrong, which of your friends will still be there for you? It's a reminder that true friendship is tested in difficult times, and not everyone will stick by your side when you're facing challenges or hardships. The quote encourages us to carefully consider who our real friends are - the ones who will support us, even in our darkest moments.

About Euripides

Euripides was a famous Greek tragedian who lived in classical Athens. He was one of the three great ancient Greek tragedians, and his plays have had a profound influence on drama throughout history. Euripides was known for his innovative approach to portraying traditional mythical heroes as ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.

More about the author

More quotes from Euripides

The wavering mind is but a base possession.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

No one is happy all his life long.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

One does nothing who tries to console a despondent person with word. A friend is one who aids with deeds at a critical time when deeds are called for.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Forgive, son; men are men; they needs must err.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

No one is truly free, they are a slave to wealth, fortune, the law, or other people restraining them from acting according to their will.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

There is just one life for each of us: our own.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

He is not a lover who does not love forever.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Silver and gold are not the only coin; virtue too passes current all over the world.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

No one who lives in error is free.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Events will take their course, it is no good of being angry at them; he is happiest who wisely turns them to the best account.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Do not plan for ventures before finishing what’s at hand.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Joint undertakings stand a better chance when they benefit both sides.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

This is slavery, not to speak one’s thought.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

There is the sky, which is all men’s together.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

When a man’s stomach is full it makes no difference whether he is rich or poor.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Danger gleams like sunshine to a brave man’s eyes.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Much effort, much prosperity.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Friends show their love in times of trouble.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Down on your knees, and thank heaven, fasting, for a good man’s love.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Cleverness is not wisdom.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all: only our characters are steadfast, not our gold.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Luckier than one’s neighbor, but still not happy.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The greatest pleasure of life is love.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Prosperity is full of friends.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Impudence is the worst of all human diseases.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Fortune truly helps those who are of good judgment.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Ignorance of one’s misfortunes is clear gain.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Better a serpent than a stepmother!

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

To persevere, trusting in what hopes he has, is courage in a man.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The best of seers is he who guesses well.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Happiness is brief. It will not stay. God batters at its sails.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

God hates violence. He has ordained that all men fairly possess their property, not seize it.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Among mortals second thoughts are wisest.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

In misfortune, which friend remains a friend?

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Silence is true wisdom’s best reply.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Slight not what’s near through aiming at what’s far.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

He was a wise man who originated the idea of God.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

It’s not beauty but fine qualities, my girl, that keep a husband.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The good and the wise lead quiet lives.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

‘Twas but my tongue, ’twas not my soul that swore.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The lucky person passes for a genius.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Human misery must somewhere have a stop; there is no wind that always blows a storm.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

The bold are helpless without cleverness.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Do not consider painful what is good for you.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

But learn that to die is a debt we must all pay.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

New faces have more authority than accustomed ones.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Leave no stone unturned.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright

Authority is never without hate.

Euripides

Classical Athenian playwright