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No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

Solon

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

Blame God Guard Rule Slave Vice Yourself
As I grow older, I constantly learn more.
SOLON

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

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

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst
To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.
SOLON

Empire Law Obedience People
True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death.
SOLON

Blessing Death Goodness Life True
Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.
SOLON

Learning Rule Submit
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
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
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

Citizenship Heart Mindset Oneself Secret Separate
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
Angels are winged with God’s power.
SOLON

Angel God Power Wings
If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.
SOLON

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

Engagement Man Myself Party Relationship
Say nothing but good of the dead.
SOLON

Death Goodness One Liner
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness Himself

No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

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No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.

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