black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

Solon

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

Attempt Goodness Nation Patriot Tolerance Try
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
SOLON

Frame Interest Public Sale
Angels are winged with God’s power.
SOLON

Angel God Power Wings
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
Rich people without wisdom and learning are but sheep with golden fleeces.
SOLON

Gold People Rich Sheep Wisdom
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
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
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
Speech is the mirror of action.
SOLON

Action Mirror One Liner Talk
A half truth is the worst of all lies, because it can be defended in partiality.
SOLON

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
SOLON

Justice One Liner Slow
He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.
SOLON

Command Learning Obedience
In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.
SOLON

Advice Friendship Please Seek
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
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.
SOLON

Appreciation Friendship Himself Praise Public

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Solon Quotes