Cover image: King Croesus of Lydia (546 B.C.) on his funeral pyre surrounded by his riches. Wood engraving, 1899.

The quote above comes from a conversation between the Athenian statesman and sage Solon and Croesus, the wealthy king of Lydia and it’s found in the Histories of Herodotus.

The King of Lydia, Croesus, was renowned throughout the ancient world for his immense wealth. From the taxes paid by the Greek colonies of Asia Minor and from the gold mines of the Pactolus River, he became wealthier and prouder of his riches. He believed that there was no happier person in the world than himself. One day, he was visited by Solon, one of the wise men of antiquity, whom he received with great hospitality. On the third or fourth day, at Croesus’s command, the servants escorted Solon through the treasures and showed him everything, which was magnificent and costly. After Solon looked at everything and observed it at his leisure, Croesus asked him:

“Athenian stranger, great fame of your wisdom and travels has reached us, that out of a love of learning you have visited many lands to learn about the world. Now I feel a desire to ask you whether you have seen anyone who is the happiest person.”

Solon, avoiding flattery toward the king, responded: “The happiest person I have ever known was an Athenian named Tellus.”

The king was puzzled by the answer and asked why Solon judged Tellus to be the happiest. “For two reasons,” said Solon:

“On one hand, Tellus had a prosperous homeland, and within it, he gained good and virtuous sons, saw all of them have children, and saw them all live. On the other hand, though his life was fortunate by human standards, it ended with a glorious death. In a battle between the Athenians and their neighbors at Eleusis, he participated, drove the enemy to flight, and died heroically. The Athenians buried him at public expense where he fell and paid him great honors.”

Then Croesus asked him whom he considered the second happiest, feeling certain he would at least take second place. Solon, however, then mentioned two young men:

“Two brothers from Argos, Kleobis and Biton. They had sufficient wealth for their needs, and as for physical strength, both were champions in athletic contests. The following story is told about them: at a festival of Hera in Argos, their mother needed to be transported to the temple by cart, but the oxen had not returned in time from the fields. With time pressing, the young men themselves took the yoke and pulled the cart, carrying their mother upon it. After they had pulled it for forty-five entire stades, they reached the temple. Following this remarkable feat, seen by all the gathered crowd, they met a blessed death, and through them, the god revealed to humanity that it is better to die than to live. The people of Argos surrounded them, marveling at the strength of the youths, and congratulated their mother for having such children. Overwhelmed with happiness, their mother, standing before the statue, prayed for her sons, Kleobis and Biton, who had honored her so, to receive the best that the gods can grant to a mortal. After this prayer, they sacrificed and then sat at the banquet table. Finally, they lay down to sleep within the temple itself, but they did not awaken again, and that was the end of their lives. The people of Argos made statues of them and dedicated them at Delphi because they had proven themselves to be exceptional men.”

Hearing this story, Croesus grew angry at Solon’s second answer, and before dismissing him, he exclaimed: “These are all fine stories, my Athenian friend, but what do you have to say about my own happiness?” To this, the wise Athenian responded with a phrase that would become famous: “Count no man happy before his end is known.” Great wealth does not make a person any happier than moderate wealth. Do not consider anyone happy until you know his end.

These words brought no pleasure to Croesus, and he dismissed Solon with scorn.

Byt this lesson became particularly poignant for Croesus later in life. His son Atys was killed in a hunting accident, and he himself was defeated by the Persian king Cyrus and captured. At the very moment when Croesus, placed upon the pyre, was about to die, he remembered Solon’s words and cried out in regret three times, “Solon! Solon! Solon!” Cyrus, who heard him, asked to know the meaning of this invocation, and after hearing the story, he spared Croesus’s life and kept him by his side as an advisor.

Source:

Herodotus, “Histories”.