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 supposedly wants Pheidippides to shape up and stop being so irresponsible. Unfortunately for his messaging, he's suggesting that Pheidippides do this by trying to cheat their creditors out of the money owed to them… which seems pretty irresponsible to us, actually. As you'll see elsewhere, the play often suggests that "change" isn't really good. And, in this case, is it really even change at all if Strepsiades is just encouraging more bad behavior?
Quote #2
And I won't take this setback lying down. / I'll say a little prayer and go myself / to the Thinkery to get an education. / But how's an old man like me, forgetful and dense, / to learn precise, hair-splitting arguments? (126-130)
Strepsiades is asking himself that well-worn question about old dogs and new tricks. Apparently, he's not super optimistic that he can learn new tricks, er, things.
Quote #3
Let the oldster speak with reverence, let him hear our pious prayer. (263)
Socrates and others (including Strepsiades himself) play up how old Strepsiades is. It is used as an excuse for some of Strepsiades's more ridiculous behavior… but given that his son (and the other people at the Thinkery, for that matter) is also pretty foolish, we're not buying the age argument.
Quote #4
Greetings, superannuated codger, seeking artful words; / you too, priest of subtlest hogwash, tell us what your heart desires. / You alone we listen to, of all the scientists today, / Prodicus excepted, for his cleverness and judgment fine. / You we like because you swagger all over town, and roll your eyes, / barefoot, suffering every kind of woe, and proud on our account. (358-363)
Hmm, somehow we're not sure the Chorus Leader (i.e., the leader of the Clouds) is being super sincere here in his praise for Socrates's "swagger" or his "subtlest hogwash." Also, note that he uses the term "superannuated codger" to describe Strepsiades. Yowch.
Quote #5
All that and more! But every lesson I learned / I right away forgot. I'm just too old. (854-855)
Strepsiades is lamenting that his age is preventing him from learning the lessons Socrates is trying to instill.
Quote #6
You've made the younger generation uninterested in education. / Just wait until the Athenians / find out what fools you've made of them! (916-918)
This is Better Argument railing at Worse Argument. According to BA, Worse Argument is trying to change Athenians for the worse with his twisty rhetoric and is making them into fools (rather than improving their minds). As a result, the youths of Athens are apparently in jeopardy.
Quote #7
Stop your fighting and abuse! / You expound just how you used / to educate the men of old; / you, the modern teacher's goal. / After judging the pros and cons, the boy will choose the school he wants. (933-938)
The Chorus Leader gets involved in couples counseling for Better Argument and Worse Argument. His scolding puts a finger on a central difference between the two "men": one privileges what used to be, and one is all about what's new and sexy (idea-wise).
Quote #8
Very well; I'll now describe what education used to be, / back when I spoke truth and flourished, back when decency was in vogue. (961-962)
Better Argument launches into his case for his ideas, which were "in vogue" back in the good old days. Apparently, "truth" and "decency" were popular then, and they're not now.
Quote #9
Antiquated rubbish, full of crickets and prehistoric rites, moldy tunes and sacred oxen! (984)
This is Worse Argument's response to Better Argument's description of his philosophy. Apparently, he's not a fan and thinks Better Argument's ideas are, er, old-fashioned.
Quote #10
Isn't that precisely how my generation's education / bred the men of Marathon? / You, by contrast, teach our boys to swaddle up in cloaks from birth, / such a turn-off when they're dancing at Athena's festival, / one of them with his shield held low, afraid he'll get his hambone poked! (985-989)
This is more of Better Argument talking about how great the old times were, when his philosophy (which calls for lots of physical exercise) was popular and men were apparently a bit more robust.