"In the 5th century AD, a man named Stobaeus compiled an anthology of short quotes from Greek plays that no longer survive in their full original form. The aim of the anthology was to inspire and instruct his son: the fragments were pithy packets of wisdom expressed in eloquent verse, selected with a fathers discerning eye. Often sorrowful, sometimes startling, they are among the greatest quotations from some of the greatest poets of all time. As Sophocles wrote, "The truly happy man ought to stay at home," and "He whom the gods love dies young." The cynical quips of Menander include: "Hunger, and lack of coin, put a stop to love" as well as "Its pay that teaches the lesson, not the teacher." Every playwright in the collection confronts the finality of death: "Hades, alone of the gods, does not enjoy bribes" (Aeschylus); "Mankind is only a shadow and puff of wind" (Sophocles). The short fragments have the impact of Zen koans or epigrammatic quotes from the Bible; the anthology also includes longer passages that read like speeches from Shakespeare. Yet until now only students and readers of ancient Greek have had access to them.

The fragments remain all but unknown to the broader reading public, even though they come from playwrights whose names rank among the most famous of all ancient figures. In Since Youre Mortal., acclaimed classicist James Romm translates these surviving fragments for a broad audience of English-language readers. Some quotes prompt "aha" moments, others offer wit or dark humor, still others moral insight. Presented in iambic pentameter, the familiar rhythm of Shakespearean drama, this volume serves as a completely distinctive guide to living a thoughtful, virtuous life"-- Provided by publisher.