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

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

Evil Excellence exchange Man Rich
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
Men keep their engagements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them.
SOLON

Engagement Man Myself Party Relationship
Poets tell many lies.
SOLON

Lying One Liner Poet
We can have justice whenever those who have not been injured by injustice are as outraged by it as those who have been.
SOLON

Angry Injury Justice
I grow old learning something new every day.
SOLON

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

Benefit Legislation Religion
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.
SOLON

Desire Myself Wealth Wrong
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
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society
Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.
SOLON

Learning Rule Submit
Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath.
SOLON

Gentle Man Promise Yourself

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

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

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Popular Authors

More Solon Quotes