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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

What thou seest, speak of with caution.
SOLON

Action Seek Talk 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
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

Change Day Prospect Right Starve Virtue Wicket
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
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
To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.
SOLON

Empire Law Obedience People
Rich people without wisdom and learning are but sheep with golden fleeces.
SOLON

Gold People Rich Sheep Wisdom
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society
A half truth is the worst of all lies, because it can be defended in partiality.
SOLON

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst
I grow old learning something new every day.
SOLON

Day Growth Old
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
SOLON

Frame Interest Public Sale
Call no man happy until he is dead.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness
Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath.
SOLON

Gentle Man Promise Yourself
The ideal state is that in which an injury done to the least of its citizens is an injury done to all.
SOLON

Citizenship Ideal Injury State

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.

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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.

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Popular Authors

More Solon Quotes