Great Throughts Treasury

"Some wicked men are rich, some good are poor, we will not change our virtue for their store: virtue's a thing that none can take away; but money changes owners all the day."

"That where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is considered as an insult on the whole constitution. [The answer to the question 'Which is the most perfect popular government?']"

"That city in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers."

"The ideal state is that in which an injury done to the least of its citizens is an injury done to all."

"To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates."

"True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a happy death."

"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."

"We can have justice whenever those who have not been injured by injustice are as outraged by it as those who have been."

"Wealth breeds satiety, satiety outrage."

"Wealth I would have, but wealth by wrong procure I would not; justice, e'en if slow, is sure."

"Who hath both gold and silver in his hand, horses and mules, and acres of wheat-land, and him whose all is decent food to eat, clothes to his back and shoes upon his feet, and a young wife and child, since so 'twill be, and no more years than will with that agree;" and in another place."

"What thou seest, speak of with caution."

"We humbly beg a blessing on our laws from mighty Jove, and honor, and applause."

"A very fair spot but there is no way down from it."

"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."

"As I grow older, I constantly learn more."

"Be not hasty in making friends; and do not cast off those whom you have made. - Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by by Diogenes La‰rtius, Life of Solon. Sometimes this quote is attributed to Socrates and also to Periander while riches change their owners every day."

"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."

"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant."

"Call no man happy before he dies, he is at best but fortunate."

"Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky."

"Call no man happy until he is dead."

"Chide a friend in private and praise him in public."

"Clear your mind of can't."

"Count no man happy until he be dead."

"Consider your honor, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath."

"For often evil men are rich, and good men poor; but we will not exchange with them our virtue for their wealth since one abides always, while riches change their owners every day."

"Honors achieved far exceed those that are created."

"Forget candle, she lives the afterlife like a barn door in the wind."

"I grow old ever learning many things."

"I grow old learning something new every day."

"If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart."

"If all men were to bring their miseries together in one place, most would be glad to take his own home again rather than take a portion out of the common stock."

"If through your vices you afflicted are, lay not the blame of your distress on God; you made your rulers mighty, gave them guards, so now you groan 'neath slavery's heavy rod."

"If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail."

"In giving advice, seek to help, not please, your friend."

"It is the clouds that make the snow and hail, and thunder comes from lightning without fail; the sea is stormy when the winds have blown, but it deals fairly when 'tis left alone."

"Men keep their agreements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them; and I shall so frame my laws that it will be evident to the Athenians that it will be for their interest to observe them."

"No fool can be silent at a feast."

"Know thyself."

"No man is happy. He is, at best, fortunate."

"Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky."

"Look to the end of a long life."

"Poets tell many lies."

"No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear."

"No one can be said to be happy until he is dead."

"Power proves the man."

"Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath."

"Rich men without wisdom and learning are called sheep with golden fleeces."

"Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule."