Solon Quotes

I grow old, ever learning many things.

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

Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.

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

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

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.

[Grant me from the blessed gods prosperity, and] from all mankind the possession ever of good repute; [and that I may thus be a delight to my friends, and an affliction to my foes, but the first revered], by the other beheld with dread.

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.

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

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

I grow old learning something new every day.

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

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

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

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence every one must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart.

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

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

Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.

Learn to obey before you command.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Count no man happy until the end is known.

What thou seest, speak of with caution.

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

Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.

Call no man happy until he is dead.

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.

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.

[The answer of Solon to the question 'Which is the most perfect popular government?']
That where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is considered as an insult on the whole constitution.

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

No fool can be silent at a feast.

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

In all things that you do, consider the end.

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.

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

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

No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

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

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.

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