Solon Quotes

#1. Say nothing but good of the dead.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#4. 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.

Solon

#5. Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.

Solon

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

Solon

#7. Speech is the mirror of action.

Solon

#8. 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.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#12. 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.

Solon

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

Solon

#14. No fool can be silent at a feast.

Solon

#15. In all things let reason be your guide.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#18. Power proves the man".

Solon

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

Solon

#20. [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.

Solon

#21. I grow old, ever learning many things.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#24. 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.

Solon

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

Solon

#26. 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.

Solon

#27. I grow old learning something new every day.

Solon

#28. 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.

Solon

#29. What thou seest, speak of with caution.

Solon

#30. Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.

Solon

#31. Call no man happy until he is dead.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#36. Learn to obey before you command.

Solon

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

Solon

#38. No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

Solon

#39. Reprove thy friend privately: commend him publicly.

Solon

#40. 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.

Solon

#41. In all things that you do, consider the end.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#45. 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.

Solon

#46. count no man happy until he be dead.

Solon

#47. No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear

Solon

#48. 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.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#52. Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.

Solon

#53. Angels are winged with God's power.

Solon

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

Solon

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

Solon

#56. 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.

Solon

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

Solon