Quote Identification Flashcards
The great warriors will suppose that you withdrew from the battle out of fear. And you will fade from their high regard into insignificance. Then your enemies will say many things that would be better unsaid, slighting your strength – and what could be more painful than that?
The Bhagavad Gita
I could never stand by silent, watching destruction march against our city, putting safety to rout, nor could I ever make that man a friend of mine Who menaces our country. Remember this: our country is our safety. Only while she voyages true on course can we establish friendships, truer than blood itself. Such are my standards. They make our city great.
Speaker: Creon
Book: Antigon
[My god] has taken against me, my friend…,[I do not die] like one who [falls] in the midst of battle.I was afraid of combat, but…my friend, one who [falls] in combat [makes his name,]but I, [I do not fall] in [combat, and shall make not my name.]
Gilgamesh
So he ranged the ranks, commanding men to order– and back again they surged from ships and shelters, back to the meeting grounds with a deep pounding din, thundering out as battle lines of breakers crash and drag along some endless beach, and the rough sea roars.
The Iliad, pg. 106, Agamemnon getting the Greeks ready for offensive on Troy
who scoured the world ever searching for life, and reached through sheer force _______ the Distant; who restored the cult-centres destroyed by the Deluge, and set in place for the people the rites of the cosmos
Gilgamesh
That’s what a man prays for: to produce good sons–a household full of them, dutiful and attentive, so they can pay his enemy back with interest and match the respect their father shows his friend. But the man who rears a brood of useless children, what has he brought into the world, I ask you? Nothing but trouble for himself, and mockery from his enemies laughing in his face.
Speaker: Creon
Book: Antigone
Context: Speaking to Haemon about problems Antigone is causing.
Come they did, quickly, two shepherds behind them, playing their hearts out on their pipes– treachery never crossed their minds. But the soldiers saw them, rushed them, cut off at a stoke the herds of oxen and sleek sheep- flocks glistening silver-gray and killed the herdsmen too.
The Iliad, pg. 484, on Achilles’ shield
as for man, [his days] are numbered, whatever he may do, it is but wind,…exists not for me…
Gilgamesh
You are both younger than I, and in my time I struck up with better men than you, even you, but never once did they make light of me.
The Iliad, pg. 86, Nestor trying to stop Achilles & Agamemnon from fighting
You do not realize the evil consequences of your act, nor are you willing to listen and understand when we try to explain. Your obstinacy is inhuman.
The Ramayana, p.48
Sage Vasishta to Kaikeyi when she refuses to change her promises
When the huge mass began to assemble and one down the road, the world looked suddenly shrunken in size. Elephants bearing pennants and flags, their foreheads covered with gold plates…
The Ramayana, p.29
On the way to Rama’s wedding
