Solon Quotes

Many evil men are rich, and good men poor, but we shall not exchange with them our excellence for riches.

A half truth is the worst of all lies,because it can be defended in partiality.

Poets tell many lies.

Rich people without wisdom and learning are but sheep with golden fleeces.

In all things let reason be your guide.

Laws are like spider's webs: If some poor weak creature comes up against them, it is caught; but a big one can break through and get away.

Say nothing but good of the dead.

Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.

Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.

If all men were to bring their miseries together in one place, most would be glad to take each his own home again rather than take a portion out of the common stock.

Call no man happy until he is dead.

Laws are like spiders webs which, if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, but large things break through and escape.

Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.

Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.

The ideal state is that in which an injury done to the least of its citizens is an injury done to all.

Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.

Wealth breeds satiety, satiety outrage.

If through your vices you afflicted are, Lay not the blame of your distress on God; You made your rulers mighty, gave them guards, So now you groan 'neath slavery's heavy rod.

Speech is the mirror of action.

Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.

What thou seest, speak of with caution.

No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.

Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom.

If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.

He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.

Learn to obey before you command.

True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death.

No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear

Justice, even if slow, is sure.

In all things that you do, consider the end.

In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.

Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.

Often the wicked prosper, while the righteous starve; yet I would never exchange my state for theirs, my virtue for their gold. For mine endures, while riches change their owner every day.

To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.

In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they have been derived from certainties. In the corrupt State laws are many and confused, because they have been derived from uncertainties.

I grow old learning something new every day.

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

I grow old, ever learning many things.

Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.

Each day grow older, and learn something new.