Democritus Quotes - Page 3

One should practice much sense, not much learning.

By convention sweet is sweet, by convention bitter is bitter, by convention hot is hot, by convention cold is cold, by convention color is color. But in reality there are atoms and the void. That is, the objects of sense are supposed to be real and it is customary to regard them as such, but in truth they are not. Only the atoms and the void are real.

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.

Tis hard to fight with anger but the prudent man keeps it under control.

Education is an ornament for the prosperous, a refuge for the unfortunate.

There are innumerable worlds of different sizes. In some there is neither sun not moon, in others they are larger than in ours and others have more than one. These worlds are at irregular distances, more in one direction and less in another, and some are flourishing, others declining. Here they come into being, there they die, and they are distroyed by collision with one another. Some of the worlds have no animal or vegetable life nor any water.

Word is a shadow of a deed.

It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.

Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thoughtlessness.

It is hard to fight against anger: to master it is the mark of a rational man.

I would rather discover one true cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.

Men have fashioned an image of Chance as an excuse for their own stupidity. For Chance rarely conflicts with intelligence, and most things in life can be set in order by an intelligent sharpsightedness.

If you would know contentment, let your deeds be few.

Good breeding in cattle depends on physical health, but in men on a well-formed character.

If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.

Nothing exists but atoms and the void.

No power and no treasure can outweigh the extension of our knowledge.

Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.

Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.

Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.

The offender, who repents, is not yet lost.

The man who is fortunate in his choice of son-in-law gains a son; the man unfortunate in his choice loses his daughter also.

Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence.

To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.

Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.