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
grows
As I grow older, I constantly learn more.
learning-something-new something-new grows
I grow old learning something new every day.
each-day something-new grows
Each day grow older, and learn something new;
aging grows
I grow old, ever learning many things.
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.
hate
I hate to say it was vindication, but that is how we felt,
No one can be said to be happy until he is dead.
call happy man until
Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.
best call death man
Call no man happy before he dies, he is at best but fortunate.
governed law obey people society
Society is well governed when the people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law
party men law
Men keep their engagements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them.
men desire riding
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.
heart secret mind
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.
good-life happy-death blessedness
True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death.