Menander -- Menander Monostichoi [Menander Gnomai Monostichoi; Sententiae Menandri; Menander’s One-Verse Maxims], No. 255

Dave — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 20:20:21 +0000

It’s a shame to the gods that bad men prosper.

[Θεών όνειδος τους κακούς ευδαιμονείν.]

Menander (c. 341 - c. 290 BC) Greek comedic playwright, poet [Μένανδρος]
Menander Monostichoi [Menander Gnomai Monostichoi; Sententiae Menandri; Menander’s One-Verse Maxims], No. 255

Variants:

"It is a shame to the gods that evil men prosper."
"It is a shame to the gods that the wicked are happy."
"It is a reproach to the gods that the wicked should prosper."

Latin: "Crimen deorum est improbi felicitas."

The Monostichoi were a Byzantine era collection of aphorisms from his various (surviving at the time) plays. This adage is considered one of the authentic ones. See also here (TGF).

WIST Quotations

Menander -- Menander Monostichoi [Menander Gnomai Monostichoi; Sententiae Menandri; Menander’s One-Verse Maxims], No. 255