Quotes by
Solon |
Ancient Athenian statesman, known as one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Solon ended exclusive aristocratic control of the government, substituted a system of control by the wealthy, and introduced a new and more humane law code. He was also a noted poet.
| 22 quotes | 4,767 visits |
Ancient Greek
| • | Religion and laws, if they are exercised well, are beneficial; if exercised badly, they do not benefit at all. Το θείον και οι νόμοι, ευ μεν αγόντων, εισίν ωφέλιμοι, κακώς δε αγόντων ουδέν ωφελούσιν. 18 |
| • | Count no man happy until the end is known. Μηδένα προ του τέλους μακάριζε. (to Croesus, king of Lydia) 14 |
| • | As I grow older, I constantly learn more. Γηράσκω δ’ αεί πολλά διδασκόμενος. 12 |
| • | 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. Τους δε νόμους τοις αραχνίοις ομοίους· και γαρ εκείνα, εάν μεν εμπέση τι κούφον και ασθενές, στέγειν· εάν δε μείζον, διακόψαν οίχεσθαι. 12 |
| • | In big projects it is difficult to please everyone. Έργμασιν εν μεγάλοις, πάσιν αδείν χαλεπόν. 10 |
| • | Analyze the unknown based on the known. Τα αφανή τοις φανεροίς τεκμαίρου. 8 |
| • | Put more trust in integrity of character than in an oath. Καλοκαγαθίαν όρκου πιστοτέραν έχε. 7 |
| • | Don’t talk about the things you don’t know and when you know, don’t say anything. Ο αν μη ίδης, μη λέγε. Ειδώς σιγά. 7 |
| • | The gods are envious and mess things. Το Θείον φθονερόν και ταραχώδες. 6 |
| • | Equality does not cause revolt. Ισότης στάσιν ου ποιεί. 6 |
| • | For often evil men are rich, and good men poor. But we will not exchange with them our virtue for their wealth. Πολλοί τοι πλουτούσι κακοί, αγαθοί δε πένονται. Αλλ᾽ ημείς τούτοις ού διαμειψόμεθα της αρετής τον πλούτον. 6 |
| • | Idleness is the mother of all evils. Αργία μήτηρ πάσης κακίας. 5 |
| • | We must help the poor, not encourage idleness. Απορίαν γαρ δει βοηθείν, ουκ αργίαν εφοδιάζειν. 5 |
| • | Satiety comes of riches and hubris comes of satiety. Τον κόρον υπό του πλούτου γεννάσθαι, την δε ύβριν υπό του κόρου. 5 |
| • | Speech is the mirror of action. Τον λόγον είδωλον είναι των έργων. 5 |
| • | Avoid a pleasure which brings sorrow. Ηδονήν φεύγε, ήτις λύπην τίκτει. 4 |
| • | He who has learned how to obey will know how to command. Άρχεσθαι μαθών άρχειν επιστήσει. 4 |
| • | Prudence is different from the other virtues as much as vision is different from the other senses. Τοσούτω διαφέρει η φρόνησις των άλλων αρετών, όσω η όρασις των άλλων αισθήσεων. 4 |
| • | Do not counsel what is most pleasant, but what is best. Συμβούλευε μη τα ήδιστα, αλλά τα βέλτιστα. 4 |
| • | The state is destroyed by its great men. Ανδρών δ᾿ εκ μεγάλων πόλις όλλυται. 4 |
| • | It’s hope that shepherds most people. Ελπίς γαρ η βόσκουσα τους πολλούς βροτών. 3 |
| • | No fool can be silent at a feast. Ουδείς αν μωρός σιωπάν εν συμποσίω δύναται. 2 |
