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Say nothing but good of the dead.

Solon

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

Age Faith Learning Live Wisdom
Learn to obey before you command.
SOLON

Command Learning Obedience Yourself
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

Advantage Agreement Evidence Frame Interest Man Myself Observation Party
Each day grow older, and learn something new.
SOLON

Day Growth Learning Old
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

exchange Man Ourselves Poor Rich Virtue
If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.
SOLON

Benefit Legislation Religion
In all things that you do, consider the end.
SOLON

End Yourself
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

Confusion Ideal Law Simplicity State Uncertain
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness Himself
What thou seest, speak of with caution.
SOLON

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

Break Escape Law Small Spider
Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.
SOLON

Advantage Agreement Break
In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.
SOLON

Advice Friendship Please Seek
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
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

Catch Law Oneself Poor Spider Trap Weakness

Say nothing but good of the dead.

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Say nothing but good of the dead.

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