Solon Quotations

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

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

I grow old learning something new every day.

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

Call no man happy before he dies, he is at best but fortunate.

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

Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.

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

No one can be said to be happy until he is dead.

No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

I hate to say it was vindication, but that is how we felt,

Durant-Bennett just ran a good race, ... We're excited that we have one more meet. This is not the way we wanted to end.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear

In all things that you do, consider the end.

Pure chastity is beauty to our souls, grace to our bodies, and peace to our desires.

In all things let reason be your guide.

We can have justice whenever those who have not been injured by injustice are as outraged by it as those who have been.

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

As the Deity has given us Greeks all other blessings in moderation, so our moderation gives us a kind of wisdom which is timid, in all likelihood, and fit for common people, not one which is kingly and splendid. This wisdom, such as it is, observing that human life is ever subject to all sorts of vicissitudes, forbids us to be puffed up by the good things we have, or to admire a man's felicity while there is still time for it to change.

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.

Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.

Learn to obey before you command.

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

Know thyself. [Lat., Ne quis nimis. (From the Greek)]

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

Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.

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

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

Angels are winged with God's power.

Speech is the mirror of action.

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.

Justice, even if slow, is sure.

I grow old, ever learning many things.

Wealth breeds satiety, satiety outrage.

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

What thou seest, speak of with caution.

Men keep their agreements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them; and I shall so frame my laws that it will be evident to the Athenians that it will be for their interest to observe them.

That city in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers.

Each day grow older, and learn something new;

Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.

Say nothing but good of the dead.

Call no man happy until he is dead.

Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.

Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.

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

Poets tell many lies.

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

Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath.

No fool can be silent at a feast.

For often evil men are rich, and good men poor; But we will not exchange with them Our virtue for their wealth since one abides always, While riches change their owners every day.

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

Watch well each separate citizen, Lest having in his heart of hearts A secret spear, one still may come Saluting you with cheerful face, And utter with a double tongue The feigned good wishes of his wary mind.

As I grow older, I constantly learn more.

An unlucky rich man is more capable of satisfying his desires and of riding out disaster when it strikes, but a lucky man is better off than him...He is the one who deserves to be described as happy. But until he is dead, you had better refrain from calling him happy, and just call him fortunate.

Men keep their engagements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them.