Why did Solon refuse to become a tyrant?

Translation: quotations from Plutarch are quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): The passage shows that Solon refused to become a tyrant because he believed that accepting power would lead to the overthrow and disorder of the state, and he feared being too weak to recompose it into a tolerable condition. He aimed to apply force and justice together, but only where necessary. (key quote above) [1]
• STATED REASON (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Solon refused to become a tyrant because he believed that doing so would violate the laws of nature and the proper ends of marriage, which should be based on love and affection rather than gain or coercion. He explicitly stated that by his tyranny he had already broken his country's laws, but could not impose violence upon the laws of nature through an unseasonable marriage. "'Indeed,' said he, 'by my tyranny I have broken my country's laws, but cannot put a violence upon those of nature by an unseasonable marriage.'" [2]
• STATED REASON (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Plutarch states that Solon justly gloried in declining arbitrary power when it was offered to him by circumstances and when his countrymen would have willingly seen him accept it. [3]

What cuts against it

• Nothing in the passages cuts against the answer.

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Solon refused to become a tyrant because he believed that accepting power would lead to the overthrow and disorder of the state.

2. He feared being too weak to recompose the state into a tolerable condition.

3. He aimed to apply force and justice together, but only where necessary.

4. Solon also believed that tyranny, although it might appear attractive, had no way down from it, implying irreversible consequences.

5. He explicitly stated that by his tyranny he had already broken his country's laws, but could not impose violence upon the laws of nature through an unseasonable marriage.

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Solon refused to become a tyrant because he believed it would lead to the collapse of the state and irreversible consequences. He valued justice and stability over personal power.

Competing readings: None.

Confidence: High, as the record directly states his beliefs and reasons.