---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ah me! think, sister, how our father…"
description: "\"“Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared by his own search had moved him to strike both eyes with self-blin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f59/sophocles-370_parenting_ah-me-think-sister-how-our-father-perish_1783495.jpg"
---

#  Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate…

![“Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared by his own search had moved him to strike both eyes with self-blinding hand; then the mother wife, two names in one, with twisted noose did despite unto her life; and last, our two brothers in one day,-each…” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f59/sophocles-370_parenting_ah-me-think-sister-how-our-father-perish_1783495.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f59/sophocles-370_parenting_ah-me-think-sister-how-our-father-perish_1783495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f59/sophocles-370_parenting_ah-me-think-sister-how-our-father-perish_1783495.jpg)

> ““Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared by his own search had moved him to strike both eyes with self-blinding hand; then the mother wife, two names in one, with twisted noose did despite unto her life; and last, our two brothers in one day,-each shedding, hapless one, a kinsman's blood,-wrought out with mutual hands their common doom. And now we in turn-we two left all alone think how we shall perish, more miserably than all the rest, if, in defiance of the law, we brave a king's decree or his powers. Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things, and in things yet sorer. I, therefore, asking the Spirits Infernal to pardon, seeing that force is put on me herein, will hearken to our rulers. for 'tis witless to be over busy.””

[Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Women confront oppressive authority, fearing dire consequences while yearning for agency.

**In simple terms:** Women face limited power and dangerous choices.

Key Takeaway

Recognize constraints, seek solidarity.

Themes

oppression gender authority fate

Mood

tragic reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- family disputes
- legal oppression
- social rebellion
- personal sacrifice

Key Concepts

patriarchal law tragic destiny family duty

Questions to Reflect On

- How can women assert agency safely?
- What alternatives exist to defy unjust law?

A Different Perspective

Risk of glorifying fatalism over agency.

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[Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Sister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sister/) [Two brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-brothers/)

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