Democritus Quotes
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The brave man is not only he who overcomes the enemy, but he who is stronger than pleasures. Some men are masters of cities, but are enslaved to women.
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Many who have not learned wisdom live wisely, and many who do the basest deeds can make most learned speeches.
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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 godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
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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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It is better to destroy one's own errors than those of others.
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Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains.
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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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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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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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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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Strength and beauty are the blessings of youth; temperance, however, is the flower of old age.
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Immoderate desire is the mark of a child, not a man.
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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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Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.
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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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I would rather discover one true cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.