“I Believe God is Like This…” Three Sophoklean Fragments on Mysteries

fr. 745

“Pursuits hidden well at home
Should never be heard outside the doors.”

σπουδὴ γὰρ ἡ κατ’ οἶκον ἐγκεκρυμμένη
οὐ πρὸς θυραίων οὐδαμῶς ἀκουσίμη.

Fr. 771

“I believe that god is like this:
He always prophesies to the wise in riddles;
But he teaches fools poorly and briefly”

καὶ τὸν θεὸν τοιοῦτον ἐξεπίσταμαι,
σοφοῖς μὲν αἰνικτῆρα θεσφάτων ἀεί,
σκαιοῖς δὲ φαῦλον κἀν βραχεῖ διδάσκαλον

fr. 843

“I learn what can be taught; I seek what
can be found; and I seek in the gods what must be prayed for.”

τὰ μὲν διδακτὰ μανθάνω, τὰ δ’ εὑρετὰ
ζητῶ, τὰ δ’ εὐκτὰ παρὰ θεῶν ᾐτησάμην