Democritus was an Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher primarily remembered today for his formulation of an atomic theory of the universe. Many consider Democritus to be the “father of modern science”. None of his writings have survived; only fragments are known from his vast body of work. He was nevertheless well known to his fellow northern-born philosopher Aristotle, and was the teacher of Protagoras. Here are some of the Democritus quotes.
“Everywhere man blames nature and fate yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passion, his mistakes and his weaknesses.”
“Many much-learned men have no intelligence.”
“Everything existing in the universe is the fruit of chance and necessity.”
“If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.”
“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.”
“Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.”
“It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.”
“No one regards the things before his feet, But views with care the regions of the sky.”
“Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.”
“Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.”
“Everywhere man blames nature and fate, yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passions, his mistakes and weaknesses.”
“A life without festivity is a long road without an inn.”
“Education is an ornament for the prosperous, a refuge for the unfortunate.”
“My enemy is not the man who wrongs me, but the man who means to wrong me.”
“The man enslaved to wealth can never be honest.”
“Life unexamined, is not worth living.”
“Our sins are more easily remembered than our good deeds.”