Solon quotes

Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet, famous for his legal reforms in ancient Greece. His work laid the foundation for Athenian democracy and aimed to address social and economic inequalities. He is remembered as one of the Seven Sages of Greece and a pivotal figure in Western political thought. Here are 31 of his quotes:

Call no man happy until he is dead. (Solon)
No fool can be silent at a feast. View quote
Solon
In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend. View quote
Solon
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public. View quote
Solon
An unlucky rich man is more capable of satisfying his desires and of riding out disaster when it strikes, but a lucky man is better off than him...He is the one who deserves to be described as happy. But until he is dead, you had better refrain from calling him happy, and just call him fortunate. View quote
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. View quote
Solon
As the Deity has given us Greeks all other blessings in moderation, so our moderation gives us a kind of wisdom which is timid, in all likelihood, and fit for common people, not one which is kingly and splendid. This wisdom, such as it is, observing that human life is ever subject to all sorts of vicissitudes, forbids us to be puffed up by the good things we have, or to admire a man's felicity while there is still time for it to change. View quote
Solon
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath. View quote
Solon
Rich people without wisdom and learning are but sheep with golden fleeces. View quote
Solon
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky. View quote
Solon
That city in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers. (Solon)
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. View quote
Solon
I grow old ever learning many things. View quote
Solon
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. View quote
Solon
Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath. View quote
Solon
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish. Justice, even if slow, is sure. View quote
Solon
Learn to obey before you command. View quote
Solon
No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear. View quote
Solon
Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom. View quote
Solon
Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule. View quote
Solon
Do not counsel what is most pleasant, but what is best. (Solon)
I grow old learning something new every day. View quote
Solon
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law. View quote
Solon
No man is happy; he is at best fortunate. View quote
Solon
Speech is the mirror of action. View quote
Solon