Democritus Quotes
-
'Tis a grievous thing to be subject to an inferior.
-
Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.
-
This argument too shows that in truth we know nothing about anything, but every man shares the generally prevailing opinion.
-
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.)
-
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.
-
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.
-
It is better to destroy one's own errors than those of others.
-
A life without a holiday is like a long journey without an inn to rest at.
-
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.
-
Now, that we do not really know of what sort each thing is, or is not, has often been shown.
-
Man is a universe in little Microcosm.
-
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.
-
Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.
-
The hopes of the right-minded may be realized, those of fools are impossible.
-
Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains.
-
Disease of the home and of the life comes about in the same way as that of the body.
-
Strength and beauty are the blessings of youth; temperance, however, is the flower of old age.
-
Immoderate desire is the mark of a child, not a man.
-
I would rather discover one true cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.
-
The friendship of one wise man is better than the friendship of a host of fools.
-
An evil and foolish and intemperate and irreligious life should not be called a bad life, but rather, dying long drawn out.
-
'Tis not in strength of body nor in gold that men find happiness, but in uprightness and in fulness of understanding.
-
Neither art nor wisdom may be attained without learning.
-
And yet it will be obvious that it is difficult to really know of what sort each thing is.