Solon Quotes
Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet, traditionally counted as one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Appointed archon during a period of severe social and economic crisis, he abolished debt slavery, restructured the Athenian constitution to give a measure of political voice to all classes of citizens, and laid the legal foundations on which classical Athenian democracy would later be built. The quotes below are attributed to Solon, organized by topic.
Solon on Happiness
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Attributed to Solon:
“Call no man happy until he is dead.”
Solon on Knowledge
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Attributed to Solon:
“I grow old learning many things every day.”
Solon on Politics
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Attributed to Solon:
“He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.”
Solon on Truth
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Attributed to Solon:
“Speech is the mirror of action.”
Solon on Virtue
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Attributed to Solon:
“Many bad men are rich, and good men poor; but we will not exchange virtue for wealth.”
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Attributed to Solon:
“Nothing in excess.”