Democritus Quotes

Fortune is lavish with her favors, but not to be depended on. Nature on the other hand is self-sufficing, and therefore with her feebler but trustworthy [resources] she wins the greater <nowiki>[</nowiki>meed<nowiki>]</nowiki> of hope.

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

To a wise man, the whole earth is open, because the country of a virtuous soul is the entire universe.

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

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

In fact we do not know anything infallibly, but only that which changes according to the condition of our body and of the [influences] that reach and impinge upon it.

We know nothing accurately in reality, but [only] as it changes according to the bodily condition, and the constitution of those things that flow upon [the body] and impinge upon it.

Boldness is the beginning of action, but fortune controls how it ends

Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains.

In the weightiest matters we must go to school to the animals, and learn spinning and weaving from the spider, building from the swallow, singing from the birds,—from the swan and the nightingale, imitating their art.

Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.

False men and shams talk big and do nothing.

It is better to correct your own faults than those of another.

An evil and foolish and intemperate and irreligious life should not be called a bad life, but rather, dying long drawn out.

Good breeding in cattle depends on physical health, but in men on a well-formed character.