--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To make an empire durable, the…" description: "\"To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.\" — Solon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/solon-10247_empires_to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrate_83952.jpg" --- # To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the… ![“To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.” quote by Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/solon-10247_empires_to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrate_83952.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/solon-10247_empires_to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrate_83952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/solon-10247_empires_to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrate_83952.jpg) > “To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.” [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. Durable governance requires officials to follow the law and citizens to hold officials accountable, ensuring mutual respect and balance of power. **In simple terms:** Lawful officials and accountable citizens sustain stability. Key Takeaway Power must be checked by law and public oversight. Themes governance law accountability power dynamics social contract Mood thoughtful serious Type maxim political insight When to use this quote - designing constitutional frameworks - evaluating political reforms - teaching civic responsibility - analyzing historical empires Key Concepts rule of law citizen oversight institutional durability Practical Applications - building transparent institutions - educating public on civic duties Questions to Reflect On - How does citizen oversight prevent abuse of power? - What mechanisms ensure officials obey the law? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Durable Magistrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/durable-magistrates-1061826/) [Empire Durable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empire-durable-1061827/) [Empires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empires/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Magistrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrates/) [Magistrates Obey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrates-obey-656654/) [Obey Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obey-laws-416761/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Magistrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-magistrates-1061828/) ## Related quotes > [ All power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; \[...\] magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/all-power-is-vested-in-and-consequently-derived-from-the-people/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/society-is-well-governed-when-its-people-obey-the-magistrates-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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/) > [“There are two sides to the life of every man: there is his individual existence which is free in proportion as his interests are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/there-are-two-sides-to-the-life-of-every-man-there-is-his-individual/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [What are we going to do if citizens are disarmed, and the government doesn't obey its own laws?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/what-are-we-going-to-do-if-citizens-are-disarmed-and-the-government/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [The best way to put the federal bureaucracy back on a leash is to make it obey the laws the people write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/the-best-way-to-put-the-federal-bureaucracy-back-on-a-leash-is-to/) [Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/) > [Grammar, which knows how to lord it over kings, and with high hands makes them obey its laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/grammar-which-knows-how-to-lord-it-over-kings-and-with-high-hands/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [I am not what is called a civilized man, professor. I have done with society for reasons that seem good to me. Therefore I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-felton/i-am-not-what-is-called-a-civilized-man-professor-i-have-done-with/) [Earl Felton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-felton/) > [Order your soul; reduce your wants; live in charity; associate in Christian community; obey the laws; trust in Providence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/order-your-soul-reduce-your-wants-live-in-charity-associate-in/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Principles are laws that are established by the creator or the manufacturer by which a product functions. If you violate those laws, then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/principles-are-laws-that-are-established-by-the-creator-or-the/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [It is dangerous to tell the people that the laws are unjust; for they obey them only because they think them just. Therefore it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/it-is-dangerous-to-tell-the-people-that-the-laws-are-unjust-for-they/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Every actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey laws too well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-actual-state-is-corrupt-good-men-must-not-obey-laws-too-well/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“It would therefore be a good thing for us to obey laws and customs because they are laws: to know that there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/it-would-therefore-be-a-good-thing-for-us-to-obey-laws-and-customs/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Woman's great mission is to train immature, weak and ignorant creatures to obey the laws of God; the physical, the intellectual, the social and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catharine-beecher/woman-s-great-mission-is-to-train-immature-weak-and-ignorant/) [Catharine Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catharine-beecher/) > [Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don't have to obey their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/police-in-china-can-do-whatever-they-want-after-81-days-in-arbitrary/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) ## 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/) > [“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/) > [Justice, even if slow, is sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/justice-even-if-slow-is-sure/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) [Explore all 66 Solon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) ## More Empires quotes > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/) [Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [Curiously, the righteous Pharisees had little historical impact, save for a brief time in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. But Jesus' disciples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/curiously-the-righteous-pharisees-had-little-historical-impact-save/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Men and women, empires and cities, thrones, principalities, and powers, mountains, rivers, and unfathomed seas, worlds, spaces, and universes, all have their day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-rider-haggard/men-and-women-empires-and-cities-thrones-principalities-and-powers/) [H. Rider Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-rider-haggard/) > [In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/in-the-eyes-of-empire-builders-men-are-not-men-but-instruments/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [the twelve or fifteen millions in the British Empire, who, while they possess no electoral rights, are yet persuaded they are freemen, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cobden/the-twelve-or-fifteen-millions-in-the-british-empire-who-while-they/) [Richard Cobden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cobden/) > [The reality is that our military presence on foreign soil is as offensive to the people that live there as armed Chinese troops would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/the-reality-is-that-our-military-presence-on-foreign-soil-is-as/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [It is the soldier and the army, not parliamentary majorities and decisions, that have welded the German Empire together. I put my trust in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-ii/it-is-the-soldier-and-the-army-not-parliamentary-majorities-and/) [Wilhelm II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-ii/) > [ \[Chinese\] are a huge empire now, you'll soon be - in a few years two billion people in the world. So, you should be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/chinese-are-a-huge-empire-now-you-ll-soon-be-in-a-few-years-two/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [ \[In\] the national and religious conflict of the \[Byzantine and Saracen\] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-of-the-byzantine-and-saracen/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [It's a great historical joke that when the Spanish met the Aztecs, it was a blind date made in serve-you-right heaven. 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