"Ante mortem ne laudes hominem," saith the son of Sirach, xi. 28.
Of this sentiment St. Chrysostom expresses his admiration, Hom. li. in. S. Eustath.; and heathen writers afford very close parallels:
"Πρὶν δ' ἂν τελευτήση ἐπισχέειν μηδὲ καλέειν κω ὄλβιον ἀλλ' εὐτυχέα," says Solon to Crœsus (Herod., ΚΛΕΙΩ. i. 32.): cf. Aristot., Eth. Nic. ch. x., for a comment on this passage.
Sophocles, in the last few lines of the Œdipus Tyrannus, thus draws the moral of his fearful tragedy:
"Ὥστε θνητὸν ὄντ', ἐκείνην τὴν τελευταίαν ἰδεῖν
Ἡμέραν ἐπισκοποῦντα, μηδέν' ὀλβίζειν, πρὶν ἂν
Τέρμα τοῦ βίου περάσῃ, μηδὲν ἀλγεινὸν παθών."
Elmsley, on this passage, gives the following references: Trach. I. Soph. Tereo, fr. 10.; ibid. Tyndar. fr. 1.; Agam., 937.; Androm., 100.; Troad., 509.; Heracl., 865.; Dionys. ap. Stob., ciii. p. 560.; Gesn., cv. p. 431.; Grot. To which I may add the oft-quoted lines,—
"Ultima semper
Expectanda dies, homini dicique beatus