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
governed law obey people society
Society is well governed when the people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law
hate
I hate to say it was vindication, but that is how we felt,
excited good race ran
Durant-Bennett just ran a good race, ... We're excited that we have one more meet. This is not the way we wanted to end.
leadership empowering-others born-leaders
He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.
confused simple law
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.
bears nations
No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear
blessing men giving
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.
good-life waiting age
Seek to learn constantly while you live; do not wait in the faith that old age by itself will bring wisdom.
religion legislation wells
If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.
justice injured has-beens
We can have justice whenever those who have not been injured by injustice are as outraged by it as those who have been.
reason guides all-things
In all things let reason be your guide.
citizens done injury
The ideal state is that in which an injury done to the least of its citizens is an injury done to all.
gratitude home men
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.
military total-war command
Learn to obey before you command.