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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

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
As I grow older, I constantly learn more.
SOLON

Growth Learning Myself Old
Say nothing but good of the dead.
SOLON

Death Goodness One Liner
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
In all things let reason be your guide.
SOLON

Guide One Liner Reason Yourself
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.
SOLON

Appreciation Friendship Himself Praise Public
Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.
SOLON

Achievement Creation Excess
Call no man happy until he is dead.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
SOLON

Frame Interest Public Sale
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
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
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
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
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society
Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.
SOLON

Advantage Agreement Break
Angels are winged with God’s power.
SOLON

Angel God Power Wings

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Solon Quotes