Euripides, Hippolytus
David Kovacs, Ed.

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But the man with a nullity for a wife—he has it easy, although a woman who sits in a house and is a fool is a trouble. [640] But a clever woman—that I loathe! May there never be in my house a woman with more intelligence than befits a woman! For Aphrodite engenders more mischief in the clever. The woman without ability is kept from indiscretion by the slenderness of her wit.

[645] One ought to let no slave pass in to see a woman. Rather one should companion them with wild and brute beasts so that they would be unable either to speak to anyone or to be spoken to in return. But as things are, the wicked ones plot evil [650] within doors, and their servants carry their plans abroad.

It is in this fashion, loathesome creature, that you have come to traffic with me in the sacred bed of my father. I shall pour running water into my ears to wash away your proposals! How could you think me such a traitor, [655] since the very sound of such things makes me feel unclean? I tell you plainly, it is my piety that saves you, woman. For if I had not been off my guard and trapped by an oath in the name of the gods, I would not forbear to tell this whole story to my father. But as it is, while Theseus is out of the country, [660] I shall leave the house and hold my tongue. But I shall return with my father and then see how you look upon him, you and your mistress. [I shall know your boldness, having had experience of it. A curse on you all! I shall never take my fill of hating [665] women, not even if someone says that I am always talking of it. For they too are always in some way evil. Let a man accordingly either teach them to be chaste or allow me to tread upon them forever.]Exit Hippolytus by Eisodos B.