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

Solon

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
What thou seest, speak of with caution.
SOLON

Action Seek Talk Yourself
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
In all things let reason be your guide.
SOLON

Guide One Liner Reason Yourself
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
SOLON

Justice One Liner Slow
Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.
SOLON

Advantage Agreement Break
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
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
He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.
SOLON

Command Learning Obedience
A half truth is the worst of all lies, because it can be defended in partiality.
SOLON

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.
SOLON

Appreciation Friendship Himself Praise Public
Learn to obey before you command.
SOLON

Command Learning Obedience 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
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.
SOLON

Desire Myself Wealth Wrong
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
No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.
SOLON

Best Fortunate Happiness Himself Man

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

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

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