And in the same way the pilot who keeps
 the sheet of his sail taut and never slackens it, upsets his boat, and
 voyages thereafter with his decking underwater. Father, give way and
 allow a change from your rage. For if even from me, a younger man, a
 worthy thought may be supplied, by
 far the best thing, I believe, would be for men to be all-wise by
 nature. Otherwise—since most often it does not turn out that way—it is
 good to learn in addition from those who advise you well. Chorus My king, it is right, if he speaks something appropriate, that you should
 learn from him and that you, in
 turn, Haemon, should learn from your father. On both sides there have
 been wise words. Creon Men of my age—are we, then, to be schooled in wisdom by men of his? Haemon Not in anything that is not right. But if I am young, you should look to
 my conduct, not to my years. Creon Is it worthy conduct to honor
 disrupters? Haemon I could not urge anyone to show respect for the wicked. Creon And is she not in the grasp of that disease? Haemon All the people of this city of Thebes deny it. Creon Shall Thebes prescribe to me
 how I must rule? Haemon See, there, how you have spoken so
 much like a child. Creon Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself? Haemon That is no city, which belongs to one man. Creon Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power? Haemon You would make a fine monarch in a desert. Creon This boy seems to be fighting on
 the side of the woman. Haemon If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you. Creon You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him! Haemon Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice. Creon Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives? Haemon Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the
 gods’ honors. Creon Polluted creature, submitting to a woman! Haemon You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness. Creon You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case. Haemon And yours, and mine, and that of gods below. Creon You can never marry her, not while
 she is still alive. Haemon Then she will die, and in death destroy another. Creon What! Does your audacity run to open threats? Haemon How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?