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Democritus Quotes

24 Notable Quotes By Democritus That Might Reorient Your Line Of Thought

Famous As: Ancient Greek Pre-Socratic Philosopher

Born On: 460 AD

Died On: 370 AD

Born In: Abdera, Greece

Died At Age: -90

Democritus was an eminent Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher renowned for formulating the most accurate atomic theory of universe. Leucippus of Miletus had a great influence on him and the ideas proposed by Democritus were in disagreement with philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. It is also said that Plato despised Democritus so much that he wanted all his books to be burnt. Democritus had visited many countries and had shared his thoughts, viewpoints and ideas with scholars across the globe. He is also considered as the ‘father of modern science’ by many for the fidelity of his philosophical recommendations. Majority of his works have not survived and only fragments from his vast body of thoughts and work remain. We bring to you quotable quotes and sayings by Democritus which have been excerpted from those fragments, available writings, recommendations and work.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

Everywhere man blames nature and fate yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passion, his mistakes and his weaknesses.

Everywhere man blames nature and fate yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passion, his mistakes and his weaknesses.
Nature Character
Democritus

Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.

Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.
Democritus

Many much-learned men have no intelligence.

Many much-learned men have no intelligence.
Democritus

By desiring little, a poor man makes himself rich.

By desiring little, a poor man makes himself rich.
Democritus

Everything existing in the universe is the fruit of chance and necessity.

Everything existing in the universe is the fruit of chance and necessity.
Democritus

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

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

If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.

If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.
Will
Democritus

Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.

Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.
Happiness Soul
Democritus

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

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

Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.

Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.
Democritus

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

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

It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.

It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.
Democritus

No one regards the things before his feet, But views with care the regions of the sky.

No one regards the things before his feet, But views with care the regions of the sky.
Democritus

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

[I would] rather discover one cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.
Democritus

The first principles of the universe are atoms and empty space; everything else is merely thought to exist.

The first principles of the universe are atoms and empty space; everything else is merely thought to exist.
Democritus

Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.

Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.
Democritus

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

If thou sustain injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it
Democritus

Everywhere man blames nature and fate, yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passions, his mistakes and weaknesses.

Everywhere man blames nature and fate, yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passions, his mistakes and weaknesses.
Nature Character
Democritus

Nature and teaching are closely related; for teaching reforms a person, and by reforming remakes his nature.

Nature and teaching are closely related; for teaching reforms a person, and by reforming remakes his nature.
Nature
Democritus

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.
Happiness Soul
Democritus

One man means as much to me as a multitude, and a multitude only as much as one man.

One man means as much to me as a multitude, and a multitude only as much as one man.
Me
Democritus

Men ask for health in their prayers to the gods: they do not realize that the power to achieve it lies in themselves. Lacking self-control, they perform contrary actions and betray health to their desires.

Men ask for health in their prayers to the gods: they do not realize that the power to achieve it lies in themselves. Lacking self-control, they perform contrary actions and betray health to their desires.
Power
Democritus