The Clouds Education Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Line

Quote #1

I'd like you, as soon as possible, to reverse your life, and go to learn the things I want you to. (87)

Strepsiades wants his son to go get an education—pretty noble, right? Well, not really… since he only wants him to get that education so they can cheat their creditors out of the debt Strepsiades owes them (which Pheidippides himself racked up with his irresponsible behavior).

Quote #2

Yuk! That scum! I know who you mean. The charlatans, / the pasty-faces, the ones who don't wear shoes, / like that miserable Socrates and Chaerephon. (102-104)

Pheidippides has no interest in going to the Thinkery to learn, since he thinks Socrates and Chaerephon are "charlatans." We suspect, though, that he's just objecting because he wants to sleep in (and hey, we can relate).

Quote #3

Hey now, be quiet! Don't speak childishly. / And have a care about your father's daily bread. / Lay off the racing and join their company. (105-108)

Strepsiades makes the hard sell and demands that Pheidippides enroll in the school, but the son still refuses.