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Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.

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
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
Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.
SOLON

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

Benefit Legislation Religion
Pure chastity is beauty to our souls, grace to our bodies, and peace to our desires.
SOLON

Chastity Desire Grace Ourselves Peace Purity Soul
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
Say nothing but good of the dead.
SOLON

Death Goodness One Liner
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
Learn to obey before you command.
SOLON

Command Learning Obedience Yourself
What thou seest, speak of with caution.
SOLON

Action Seek Talk Yourself
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness Himself
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
No fool can be silent at a feast.
SOLON

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
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
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
Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.
SOLON

Advantage Agreement Break
Each day grow older, and learn something new.
SOLON

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

Defend Lying Partial Truth Worst
No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.
SOLON

Best Fortunate Happiness Himself Man
In all things that you do, consider the end.
SOLON

End Yourself
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
SOLON

Character Noble Promise Trust
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
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
SOLON

Frame Interest Public Sale
True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death.
SOLON

Blessing Death Goodness Life True
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
In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.
SOLON

Advice Friendship Please Seek
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
SOLON

Justice One Liner Slow

Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.

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Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.

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