Distress Quote by Aeschylus
“The man who boldly transgresses, amassing a great heap unjustly--by force, in time, he will strike his sail, when trouble seizes him as the yardarm is splintered. He calls on those who hear nothing and he struggles in the midst of the whirling waters. The god laughs at the hot-headed man, seeing him, who boasted that this would never happen, exhausted by distress without remedy and unable to surmount the cresting wave. He wrecks the happiness of his earlier life on the reef of Justice, and he perishes unwept, unseen.”
About This Quote
Those who gain power unjustly will eventually face downfall, as hubris invites divine retribution and personal ruin.
In simple terms: Unjust power leads to ruin.
Key Takeaway
Beware overreaching ambition.
Themes
hubris
justice
downfall
Mood
cautionary
somber
Type
tragic
didactic
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate misconduct
- personal ethics
- legal consequences
Key Concepts
Greek tragedy
karma
oral lesson
Questions to Reflect On
- What signs warn of impending hubris?
- How can societies prevent such downfall?
A Different Perspective
Not all injustices are punished quickly.
