Ancient Greek Quotes: Solon "Call no one happy..." Button

Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker & poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in archaic Athens. Solon's travels brought him to Sardis, capital of Lydia. According to Herodotus and Plutarch, he met with Croesus and gave the Lydian king advice, which Croesus failed to appreciate until it was too late. Croesus had considered himself to be the happiest man alive and Solon had advised him, "Count no one happy until they are dead." The reasoning was that at any minute, fortune might turn on even the happiest man and make his life miserable. It was only after he had lost his kingdom to the Persian king Cyrus, while awaiting execution, that Croesus acknowledged the wisdom of Solon's advice. [source: wikipedia] That's the quote on the T-shirt in ancient Greek.