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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

True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death.
SOLON

Blessing Death Goodness Life True
Laws are like spiders webs which, if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, but large things break through and escape.
SOLON

Break Escape Law Small Spider
No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.
SOLON

Best Fortunate Happiness Himself Man
Angels are winged with God’s power.
SOLON

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

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

Action Mirror One Liner Talk
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
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
Poets tell many lies.
SOLON

Lying One Liner Poet
Honors achieved far exceed those that are created.
SOLON

Achievement Creation Excess
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
Pure chastity is beauty to our souls, grace to our bodies, and peace to our desires.
SOLON

Chastity Desire Grace Ourselves Peace Purity Soul
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
What thou seest, speak of with caution.
SOLON

Action Seek Talk Yourself
Call no man happy until he is dead.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
SOLON

Government Law Obedience People Society

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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