Democritus (460 BC – 370 BC), also known as Democritus of Abdera, was a great philosopher and mathematician of Ancient Greece. Born in Abdera, in the region of Thrace, he was an outstanding student of Leucippus, developed theories in various spheres of knowledge, and stood out for his atomistic conception of matter.
Although he is usually considered a pre-Socratic philosopher, he was actually a contemporary of Socrates. Among his most studied subjects were astronomy and theology.
Featured quotes from Democritus
To get closer to the teachings of this Greek thinker and writer, Let’s take a tour of the best phrases of Democritus
1. All is lost when the bad serve as an example and the good serve as a mockery.
When ethics are lost these things happen.
2. He who postpones everything will not leave anything completed or perfect.
About procrastination, a vice that does not allow us to move forward.
3. Can he who loves no one be loved?
In other words: can someone who loves no one love? Probably not.
4. The whole earth is within the reach of the wise, since the homeland of a high soul is the universe.
Global thinking allows us to be above the material.
5. Life without parties is like a long road without inns.
You always have to have a little fun to make the path more pleasant.
6. Life is a transit; the world is a theater; The man enters it, looks and leaves.
Great metaphor that shows us the ephemerality of human existence.
7. Nature is self-sufficient; For this reason he conquers with the least and with the sure, the excesses of hope.
Brief environmental reflection about the strength of Mother Nature.
8. Do not be ashamed to submit to the laws and to those who know more than you.
Knowledge and democracy must prevail above all other considerations.
9. Even if you are alone, you should not say or do anything bad. Learn to be more ashamed in front of yourself than in front of others.
The public deserves our strong and confident side.
10. There are men who work as if they were going to live forever.
Remember that your work will not make you eternal; enjoy the day to day yes.
11. Man is not unhappy as long as he is not unjust.
Honesty guarantees a good psychological state, according to this phrase from Democritus.
12. The true beauty and the most precious adornment of a woman is sparse speech.
Feminine beauty, ingratiated with discretion, according to the Greek philosopher.
13. Young people are like plants: by the first fruits we can see what we can expect for the future.
A beautiful metaphor about the potential of every teenager.
14. He who acts unjustly is more unfortunate than the victim of his injustice.
Very much in line with phrase number eleven.
15. Riches do not consist so much in the possession of goods as in the use made of them.
Knowing how to give meaning to possessions, that is true wealth.
16. Fighting desire is hard, but defeating it is typical of a sensible man.
Reasonableness is the pinnacle of an individual’s moral development.
17. Medicine heals diseases of the body, but wisdom frees the soul from suffering.
About physical and mental health, in one of Democritus’ most memorable phrases.
18. It is arrogance to talk about everything and not want to hear anything.
Knowing how to listen is the first precept of the wise man.
19. Men ask the gods for health in their prayers, but they do not realize that they have control over it in themselves and that, as they do the opposite of what should be done through their debauchery, they become traitors of their health because of their own appetites.
There is no point in delegating our health to any supreme entity.
20. Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinions.
The only thing that is undeniable are the particles that make up matter.
21. Parenting is a slippery business; You achieve success plagued by disputes and worries or a failure that cannot be overcome by any other pain.
About the responsibility of parents in the thankless task of parenting.
22. Discreet is he who does not grieve for what he does not have, but rejoices for what he has.
His definition of discretion.
23. The friendship of a wise man is better than that of all fools.
A great intelligent friend is worth more than all the mean ones.
24. He who is entirely dominated by wealth could never be righteous.
Austerity is a value for the sensible and just man.
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PsychologyFor. (2024). The 24 Best Phrases of Democritus, Greek Philosopher. https://psychologyfor.com/the-24-best-phrases-of-democritus-greek-philosopher/