Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

​There is also an epigram of our own in the aforementioned Pammetros, where I have discussed in every meter and rhythm, in epigrams and songs, concerning all the illustrious persons who have died; and it runs as follows: “Solon's body Cyprian fire consumed in a foreign land; Salamis holds his bones, whose dust is ears of grain. His soul the revolving tablets carried straight to heaven; for well did he establish laws for his fellow citizens, the lightest of burdens.” It is also said that he uttered the maxim, “Nothing in excess.” And Dioscurides, in his Memorabilia, says that when Solon was weeping for his son who had died—a son of whom we have received no record—and someone said to him, “Yet you accomplish nothing,” he replied, “For this very reason do I weep, because I accomplish nothing.” There are also extant these letters of his:

​Solon to Periander “You report to me that many are plotting against you. But if you intend to put them all out of the way, you cannot act fast enough. Someone from among the unsuspected might also plot against you, one fearing for himself, and another holding you in contempt because you dread everything; and finding an opportunity, he would lay up gratitude with the city if you did not suspect him. It is best, then, to step down, so that you may be freed from blame. But if you must by all means remain tyrant, take care to make your foreign force greater than the power in the city; then no one will any longer be formidable to you, nor need you put anyone out of the way.” Solon to Epimenides “Neither, it seems, were my ordinances destined to benefit the Athenians for long, nor did you, by purifying the city, bring lasting benefit. For neither the divine power nor lawgivers are able in themselves to benefit cities, but rather it depends on how those who continually guide the multitude are disposed in mind. So it is that both the divine power and the laws, when men guide well, are profitable; but when they guide ill, they profit nothing.

​Nor are my laws and all that I enacted any better. But those entrusted with the common weal harmed it, who did not stand in the way of Pisistratus' assault upon tyranny. Nor was I believed when I gave warning; but he, flattering the Athenians, was more credible than I who spoke the truth. I therefore laid down my arms before the general's office and declared that I was wiser than those who did not perceive Pisistratus aiming at tyranny, and braver than those who hesitated to defend themselves. But they condemned Solon for madness. And at the last I bore witness, saying: ‘O fatherland, this Solon here is ready to defend you in word and deed; but to them I seem to be raving. Wherefore I depart from your midst as the sole enemy of Pisistratus; and let them even serve as his bodyguards if they wish.’ For know, my friend, that the man grasped the tyranny most astutely.

​He began by playing the demagogue; then, having inflicted wounds upon himself, he came forward into the Heliaea and cried aloud, asserting that he had suffered these things at the hands of his enemies; and he demanded that they provide him with four hundred young men as guards. The people, having disobeyed me, provided the men; and these became club-bearers. And after this he subverted the democracy. In vain, truly, was I striving to deliver the poor among them from serfdom, when now they are all together enslaved to one man, Pisistratus.” Solon to Pisistratus “I trust that I shall suffer no harm from you. For even before the tyranny I was a friend to you, and now I am no more at variance with you than any other Athenian who does not approve of tyranny. But whether it is better for them to be ruled by one man or to live under a democracy, let each man be persuaded as he thinks best.

​And I declare that of all tyrants you are the best. But I see that it is not well for me to return to Athens, lest someone reproach me, if, having established equal citizenship for the Athenians and having refused to be tyrant myself when it was in my power, I should now return and appear content with what you are doing.” Solon to Croesus “I admire your kindly feeling toward us; and by Athena, if it were not of the highest importance to me to live under a democracy, I would rather have chosen to take up my abode in the kingdom under your rule than at Athens, where Pisistratus rules by force. But life is sweeter to us where justice and equality prevail for all. Nevertheless, I shall come to you, being eager to become your guest.”