--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no greater evil for men than the…" description: "\"There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.\" — Sophocles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png" --- # There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of… ![“There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png) > “There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.” [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. Fortune’s limits can be more damaging than any other evil for men. **In simple terms:** Being constrained by fate is a great evil. Key Takeaway Seek agency beyond external circumstances. Themes fate human condition powerlessness Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career ambition - financial uncertainty - health crises Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when fate seems limiting? - Can personal effort overcome destiny? A Different Perspective Not all constraints are external; internal choices matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-men/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [“There is no greater evil than men's failure to consult and to consider.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-than-men-s-failure-to-consult-and-to-consider/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [There is no greater evil than anarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-than-anarchy/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [No greater evil can a man endure Than a bad wife, nor find a greater good Than one both good and wise; and each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/no-greater-evil-can-a-man-endure-than-a-bad-wife-nor-find-a-greater/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [For the lesser evil is reckoned a good in comparison with the greater evil, since the lesser evil is rather to be chosen than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/for-the-lesser-evil-is-reckoned-a-good-in-comparison-with-the-greater/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Fear is a greater evil than evil itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/fear-is-a-greater-evil-than-evil-itself/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [“Lorsen shook his head in amazement. 'You truly are disgusting.' 'I would be the last to disagree, but you fail to see that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/lorsen-shook-his-head-in-amazement-you-truly-are-disgusting-i-would/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“The politics of the greater evil was a common creation at a time of chaos. —”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/the-politics-of-the-greater-evil-was-a-common-creation-at-a-time-of/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [You cannot cure a lesser evil by a greater evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/you-cannot-cure-a-lesser-evil-by-a-greater-evil/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Oh, oh, no greater evil is there in this world, than the evil that lies in the hearts of those who repay good with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/oh-oh-no-greater-evil-is-there-in-this-world-than-the-evil-that-lies/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [I may be permitted, like the doctors, to cure a greater evil by a less, for I shall not fall seriously in love with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/i-may-be-permitted-like-the-doctors-to-cure-a-greater-evil-by-a-less/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [What greater evil could you wish a miser, than long life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-greater-evil-could-you-wish-a-miser-than-long-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Truly it is an evil to be full of faults; but it is a still greater evil to be full of them and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/truly-it-is-an-evil-to-be-full-of-faults-but-it-is-a-still-greater/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [It is impossible to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this: the conversion of the law into an instrument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/it-is-impossible-to-introduce-into-society-a-greater-change-and-a/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [The greater evil who is in- When both in wayward paths are straying? The poor sinner for the pain Or he who pays for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greater-evil-who-is-in-when-both-in-wayward-paths-are-straying/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To defeat evil, I must become a greater evil”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lelouch-vi-britannia/to-defeat-evil-i-must-become-a-greater-evil/) [Lelouch Vi Britannia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lelouch-vi-britannia/) ## More by Sophocles > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [God's dice always have a lucky roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/god-s-dice-always-have-a-lucky-roll/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/go-then-if-you-must-but-remember-no-matter-how-foolish-your-deeds/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man's worst ill is stubbornness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/man-s-worst-ill-is-stubbornness-of-heart/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A lie never lives to be old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-lie-never-lives-to-be-old/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [How dangerous can false reasoning prove!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/how-dangerous-can-false-reasoning-prove/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? Best to live lightly, as one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/why-should-man-fear-since-chance-is-all-in-all-for-him-and-he-can/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“But life takes sudden twists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/but-life-takes-sudden-twists/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/for-god-hates-utterly-the-bray-of-bragging-tongues/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/i-have-nothing-but-contempt-for-the-kind-of-governor-who-is-afraid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Not from Hades' black and universal lake can you lift him. Not by groaning, not by prayers. Yet you run yourself out in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/not-from-hades-black-and-universal-lake-can-you-lift-him-not-by/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fearful man is always hearing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fearful-man-is-always-hearing-things/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [There is a point at which even justice does injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-a-point-at-which-even-justice-does-injury/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) [Explore all 621 Sophocles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sophocles" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-the-constraint-of-fortune/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-the-constraint-of-fortune/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5a/sophocles-370_evil_there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-th_631816.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no greater evil for men than the constraint of fortune.” — Sophocles", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sophocles", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no greater evil for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-the-constraint-of-fortune/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-no-greater-evil-for-men-than-the-constraint-of-fortune/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```