Solon
Solon
Solonwas an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic, and moral decline in archaic Athens. His reforms failed in the short term, yet he is often credited with having laid the foundations for Athenian democracy. He wrote poetry for pleasure, as patriotic propaganda, and in defense of his constitutional reforms...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionStatesman
friends praise
Chide a friend in private and praise him in public.
fame interest sells
He that will sell his fame will also sell the public interest.
riches satiety
Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.
soul grace desire
Pure chastity is beauty to our souls, grace to our bodies, and peace to our desires.
mirrors speech action
Speech is the mirror of action.
aging grows
I grow old, ever learning many things.
good-life wish desire
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.
trust character nobility
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
friendship
Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.
gold wicked riches
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.
wealth outrage satiety
Wealth breeds satiety, satiety outrage.
justice ifs
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
each-day something-new grows
Each day grow older, and learn something new;
best call death man
Call no man happy before he dies, he is at best but fortunate.