Solon Quotes

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

Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.

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.

What thou seest, speak of with caution.

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.

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

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.

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

Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.

Say nothing but good of the dead.