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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

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

Advantage Agreement Break
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
No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear.
SOLON

Attempt Goodness Nation Patriot Tolerance Try
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
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.
SOLON

Appreciation Friendship Himself Praise Public
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
SOLON

Justice One Liner Slow
As I grow older, I constantly learn more.
SOLON

Growth Learning Myself Old
To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.
SOLON

Empire Law Obedience People
Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.
SOLON

Commend Friendship Public
Pure chastity is beauty to our souls, grace to our bodies, and peace to our desires.
SOLON

Chastity Desire Grace Ourselves Peace Purity Soul
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
Angels are winged with God’s power.
SOLON

Angel God Power Wings
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness Himself
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
A half truth is the worst of all lies, because it can be defended in partiality.
SOLON

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst

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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Solon Quotes