Democritus: Quotes about life

Democritus is Ancient Greek philosopher, pupil of Leucippus, founder of the atomic theory. Explore interesting quotes on life.
Democritus: 162   quotes 11   likes

“Men have fashioned an image of Chance as an excuse for their own stupidity. For Chance rarely conflicts with intelligence, and most things in life can be set in order by an intelligent sharpsightedness.”

Democritus

Freeman (1948), p. 155

Life , Men , Stupidity , Intelligence

“He who intends to enjoy life should not be busy about many things, and in what he does should not undertake what exceeds his natural capacity. On the contrary, he should have himself so in hand that even when fortune comes his way, and is apparently ready to lead him on to higher things, he should put her aside and not o'erreach his powers. For a being of moderate size is safer than one that bulks too big.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Fragments

Life , Way , Business , Nature

“Disease of the home and of the life comes about in the same way as that of the body.”

Democritus

Freeman (1948), p. 170
Variant: Disease occurs in a household, or in a life, just as it does in a body.

Life , Disease , Way , Home

“Those who have a well-ordered character lead also a well-ordered life.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life

“A life without a holiday is like a long journey without an inn to rest at.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life , Holiday

“Men achieve tranquillity through moderation in pleasure and through the symmetry of life. Want and superfluity are apt to upset them and to cause great perturbations in the soul. The souls that are rent by violent conflicts are neither stable nor tranquil. One should therefore set his mind upon the things that are within his power, and be content with his opportunities, nor let his memory dwell very long on the envied and admired of men, nor idly sit and dream of them. Rather, he should contemplate the lives of those who suffer hardship, and vividly bring to mind their sufferings, so that your own present situation may appear to you important and to be envied, and so that it may no longer be your portion to suffer torture in your soul by your longing for more. For he who admires those who have, and whom other men deem blest of fortune, and who spends all his time idly dreaming of them, will be forced to be always contriving some new device because of his [insatiable] desire, until he ends by doing some desperate deed forbidden by the laws. And therefore one ought not to desire other men's blessings, and one ought not to envy those who have more, but rather, comparing his life with that of those who fare worse, and laying to heart their sufferings, deem himself blest of fortune in that he lives and fares so much better than they. Holding fast to this saying you will pass your life in greater tranquillity and will avert not a few of the plagues of life—envy and jealousy and bitterness of mind.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life , Men , Pleasure , Jealousy

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

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life , Evil

“Repentance for one's evil deeds is the safeguard of life.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life , Evil

“Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thoughtlessness. Luck seldom measures swords with wisdom. Most things in life quick wit and sharp vision can set right.”

Democritus

Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (1907), The Golden Sayings of Democritus

Life , Wisdom , Men