Democritus Quotes

Greek philosopher (c. 460–c. 370 BC)

Democritus (c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher. He is popularly known as "the laughing philosopher" for advocating a cheerful outlook, and for his rhetorical use of irony and ridicule. A pupil of Leucippus, he was an influential pre-Socratic philosopher who formulated an atomic theory of the universe. Of his voluminous writings, only a few fragments of his ethical theory remain, with descriptions by other writers of his atomic theory.

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Native Name: Δημόκριτος

Alternative Names: Democritus of Abdera • Laughing Philosopher • Demokritos

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

Of practical wisdom these are the three fruits: to deliberate well, to speak to the point, to do what is right.

Neither art nor wisdom may be attained without learning.

We ought to regard the interests of the state as of far greater moment than all else, in order that they may be administered well; and we ought not to engage in eager rivalry in despite of equity, nor arrogate to ourselves any power contrary to the common welfare. For a state well administered is our greatest safeguard. In this all is summed up: When the state is in a healthy condition all things prosper; when it is corrupt, all things go to ruin.

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.

You can tell the man who rings true from the man who rings false, not by his deeds alone, but also by his desires.

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

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

It is hard to fight desire; but to control it is the sign of a reasonable man.

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

Education is an ornament for the prosperous, a refuge for the unfortunate.

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

Fools learn wisdom through misfortune.

If the body were to take the soul to court for the pains and suffering it had endured throughout its life, then if he were to be on the jury for the case he would gladly cast his vote against the soul inasmuch as it had destroyed some parts of the body by negligence or dissipated them by drunkenness, and had ruined and ravaged other parts by its pursuit of pleasures - just as he would blame the careless user if a tool or utensil were in a bad condition.

For a man petticoat government is the limit of insolence.