from Antigone - Sophocles

[Chorus]

...

Not to be born is best

when all is reckoned in, but once a man has seen the light

the next best thing, by far, is to go back

back where he came from, quickly as he can.

For once his youth slips by, light on the wing

lightheaded... what mortal blows can he escape

what girefs won't stalk his days?

Envy and enemies, rage and battles, bloodshed

and last of all despised old age overtakes him,

stripped of power, companions, stripped of love -

the worst this life of pain can offer,

old age our mate at last.

...