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Learn to obey before you command.

Solon

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
Speech is the mirror of action.
SOLON

Action Mirror One Liner Talk
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
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
If all men were to bring their miseries together in one place, most would be glad to take each his own home again rather than take a portion out of the common stock.
SOLON

Home Man Misery Oneself Place Togetherness
To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.
SOLON

Empire Law Obedience People
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
I grow old, ever learning many things.
SOLON

Growth Learning Old
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
SOLON

Justice One Liner Slow
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
SOLON

Frame Interest Public Sale
If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.
SOLON

Benefit Legislation Religion
Call no man happy until he is dead.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
SOLON

Character Noble Promise Trust
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
In all things that you do, consider the end.
SOLON

End Yourself

Learn to obey before you command.

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Learn to obey before you command.

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