--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [ The answer of Solon to the question…" description: "\"“[ The answer of Solon to the question 'Which is the most perfect popular government ?'] That where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/solon-10247_constitution_the-answer-of-solon-to-the-question-whic_1851805.jpg" --- # \[ The answer of Solon to the question 'Which is the most… ![“[ The answer of Solon to the question 'Which is the most perfect popular government ?'] That where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is considered as an insult on the whole constitution.” quote by Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/solon-10247_constitution_the-answer-of-solon-to-the-question-whic_1851805.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/solon-10247_constitution_the-answer-of-solon-to-the-question-whic_1851805.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/solon-10247_constitution_the-answer-of-solon-to-the-question-whic_1851805.jpg) > ““\[ The answer of Solon to the question 'Which is the most perfect popular government ?'\] That where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is considered as an insult on the whole constitution.”” [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The best government minimally harms individuals, protecting even the weakest, reflecting a principle of limited state interference. **In simple terms:** A good government harms people as little as possible. Key Takeaway Support policies that protect individual rights. Themes justice government individual rights philosophy ethics Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - lawmaking - civil rights advocacy - public policy - education Key Concepts liberalism political theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure minimal harm in lawmaking? - What limits should the state have? A Different Perspective Implementation can be complex in diverse societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injury/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [“The answer of Solon on the question, 'Which is the most perfect popular govemment,' has never been exceeded by any man since his time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-answer-of-solon-on-the-question-which-is-the-most-perfect-popular/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“Doyle: "What is it now, then?" Cordelia: "Isn't java supposed to be a coffee?" Doyle: "Ready to abandon the the Web project?" Cordelia: "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-passarella/doyle-what-is-it-now-then-cordelia-isn-t-java-supposed-to-be-a-coffee/) John Passarella > [They always use the word 'insult' with me, but I don't hurt anybody. I wouldn't be sitting here if I did. I make fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/they-always-use-the-word-insult-with-me-but-i-don-t-hurt-anybody-i/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [Where I came from, just nodding and smiling when someone expressed views was the ultimate insult. If people weren't yelling about politics in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-emanuel/where-i-came-from-just-nodding-and-smiling-when-someone-expressed/) [Ezekiel Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-emanuel/) > [I'm not sure why we want each other," she grumbled. "Nor am I, but the fact remains that we do want each other." "Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/i-m-not-sure-why-we-want-each-other-she-grumbled-nor-am-i-but-the/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [He had long ago learned that society imposes insults that must be borne, comforted by the knowledge that in this world there comes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-puzo/he-had-long-ago-learned-that-society-imposes-insults-that-must-be/) [Mario Puzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-puzo/) > [If the estimated age of the cosmos were shortened to seventy-two years, a human life would take about ten seconds. But look at time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-grudin/if-the-estimated-age-of-the-cosmos-were-shortened-to-seventy-two/) [Robert Grudin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-grudin/) > [No one seems to have learned, or can remember, the magic words that calm people when they are frightened or threatened: "I'm sorry; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-tavris/no-one-seems-to-have-learned-or-can-remember-the-magic-words-that/) [Carol Tavris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-tavris/) > [If you take the the insults of your fellow human beings personally, you will be offended for the rest of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-take-the-the-insults-of-your-fellow-human-beings-personally/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Don't insult me today just because I'm poor, you don't know what my future holds!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kamkwamba/don-t-insult-me-today-just-because-i-m-poor-you-don-t-know-what-my/) [William Kamkwamba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kamkwamba/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [You cannot insult the faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/you-cannot-insult-the-faith-of-others/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [If people in Indonesia look 'different', they are afraid. Racist insults fly if someone does not look like part of the majority. Indonesia is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-vltchek/if-people-in-indonesia-look-different-they-are-afraid-racist-insults/) [Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-vltchek/) > [What greater insult can you give God than to take your own life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thibodeau/what-greater-insult-can-you-give-god-than-to-take-your-own-life/) [David Thibodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thibodeau/) > [It seems an insult to nature and to the Creator to imagine that pregnancy was ever intended to be a sickness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-bisbee-duffey/it-seems-an-insult-to-nature-and-to-the-creator-to-imagine-that/) Eliza Bisbee Duffey ## More by Solon > [Society is well governed when the people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/society-is-well-governed-when-the-people-obey-the-magistrates-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrates-must-obey-the-laws-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [“Reprove thy friend privately: commend him publicly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-thy-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/call-no-man-happy-until-he-is-dead-but-only-lucky/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-man-is-happy-he-is-at-best-fortunate/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If through your vices you afflicted are, Lay not the blame of your distress on God; You made your rulers mighty, gave them guards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/if-through-your-vices-you-afflicted-are-lay-not-the-blame-of-your/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/in-giving-advice-seek-to-help-not-to-please-your-friend/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-your-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No one can be said to be happy until he is dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-one-can-be-said-to-be-happy-until-he-is-dead/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-more-good-must-be-attempted-than-the-nation-can-bear/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [“The New Dimension is peaceful, and all work here just as they do on Earth. It’s a place where learning, knowledge and wisdom are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/the-new-dimension-is-peaceful-and-all-work-here-just-as-they-do-on/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [ Know thyself. \[Lat., Ne quis nimis. (From the Greek)\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/know-thyself-lat-ne-quis-nimis-from-the-greek/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/satiety-comes-of-riches-and-contumaciousness-of-satiety/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/wealth-i-desire-to-have-but-wrongfully-to-get-it-i-do-not-wish/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If all men were to bring their miseries together in one place, most would be glad to take each his own home again rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/if-all-men-were-to-bring-their-miseries-together-in-one-place-most/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) [Explore all 66 Solon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. 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We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. 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