Democritus
Democritus
Democrituswas an influential Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher primarily remembered today for his formulation of an atomic theory of the universe...
reality body flow
We know nothing accurately in reality, but [only] as it changes according to the bodily condition, and the constitution of those things that flow upon [the body] and impinge upon it.
wise men differences
One great difference between a wise man and a fool is, the former only wishes for what he may possibly obtain; the latter desires impossibilities.
trust silly men
Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence.
children hypocrisy people
People sometimes rationalize their greed by saying that it is all for the good of their children but this is nothing but an excuse they use to make their despicable actions appear respectable and praiseworthy.
mildness endure magnanimity
Magnanimity consists in enduring tactlessness with mildness.
moderation pleasure increase
Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.
wise men hands
The whole Earth is at the hand of the wise man, since the fatherland of an elevated soul is the Universe.
country men egypt
I am the most travelled of all my contemporaries; I have extended my field of enquiry wider than anybody else, I have seen more countries and climes, and have heard more speeches of learned men. No one has surpassed me in the composition of lines, according to demonstration, not even the Egyptian knotters of ropes, or geometers.
happiness beautiful thinking
It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
moving science air
Moving in space, the atoms originally were individual units, but inevitable they began to collide with each other, and in cases where their shapes were such as to permit them to interlock, they began to form clusters. Water, air, fire, and earth, these are simply different clusters of the changeless atoms.
men
Many much-learned men have no intelligence.
mean desire
Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.
truth sea buried
Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.
wise home men
The wise man’s home is the universe.