Democritus Quotes
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This argument too shows that in truth we know nothing about anything, but every man shares the generally prevailing opinion.
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Coition is a slight attack of apoplexy. For man gushes forth from man, and is separated by being torn apart with a kind of blow.
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It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
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Verily we know nothing. Truth is buried deep. (Another translation: 'Of truth we know nothing, for truth is in a well.' Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers R.D. Hicks, Ed.)
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It is better to destroy one's own errors than those of others.
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The right-minded man, ever inclined to righteous and lawful deeds, is joyous day and night, and strong, and free from care. But if a man take no heed of the right, and leave undone the things he ought to do, then will the recollection of no one of all his transgressions bring him any joy, but only anxiety and self-reproaching.
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Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.
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Men in their prayers beg the gods for health, not knowing that this is a thing they have in their own power. Through their incontinence undermining it, they themselves become, because of their passions, the betrayers of their own health.
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Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains.
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Now, that we do not really know of what sort each thing is, or is not, has often been shown.
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A life without a holiday is like a long journey without an inn to rest at.
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If any one hearken with understanding to these sayings of mine many a deed worthy of a good man shall he perform and many a foolish deed be spared.
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Strength and beauty are the blessings of youth; temperance, however, is the flower of old age.
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Disease of the home and of the life comes about in the same way as that of the body.
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Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.
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Immoderate desire is the mark of a child, not a man.
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Man is a universe in little Microcosm.
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'Tis not in strength of body nor in gold that men find happiness, but in uprightness and in fulness of understanding.
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The friendship of one wise man is better than the friendship of a host of fools.
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I would rather discover one true cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.
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An evil and foolish and intemperate and irreligious life should not be called a bad life, but rather, dying long drawn out.
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The hopes of the right-minded may be realized, those of fools are impossible.
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Neither art nor wisdom may be attained without learning.
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And yet it will be obvious that it is difficult to really know of what sort each thing is.