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.
A lesson for all of us is that for every loss, there is victory, for every sadness, there is joy, and when you think you’ve lost everything, there is hope.
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.
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.
Rich people without wisdom and learning are but sheep with golden fleeces.
I grow old learning something new every day.
Speech is the mirror of action.
Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.
Rule, after you have first learned to submit to rule.
Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.
No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.
Call no man happy until he is dead.
No fool can be silent at a feast.
Often the wicked prosper, while the righteous starve; yet I would never exchange my state for theirs, my virtue for their gold. For mine endures, while riches change their owner every day.
Wealth breeds satiety, satiety outrage.
Say nothing but good of the dead.
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.
Justice, even if slow, is sure.
That city in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers.
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.