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Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom.

Solon

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

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

Blessing Death Goodness Life True
I grow old learning something new every day.
SOLON

Day Growth Old
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.
SOLON

Desire Myself Wealth Wrong
Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath.
SOLON

Gentle Man Promise Yourself
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
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
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
Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.
SOLON

Advantage Agreement Break
Call no man happy until he is dead.
SOLON

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

Feast Fool One Liner Silence
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
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
SOLON

Call Death Happiness Himself

Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom.

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Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom.

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Popular Authors

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