Bits of Wisdom #7 : Democritus

From the ancient till modern times, Greece has been the homeland for many important historical events and people who have marked the history of the country and have influenced the course of the world. People with talent, inspiration, and vision have set the grounds of modern civilization. Ancient thinkers words on life, success, courage and character hold true centuries later and can be just the pick-me-up we need, whatever the work day throws at us. The Ancient Greek philosophers used few words, 'quotes', to express pearls of wisdom that stand up today as guidelines for living wisely and compassionately.

DEMOCRITUS

Philosopher of the 4th century BC

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

“Everything existing in the universe is the fruit of chance and necessity”

“Many much-learned men have no intelligence”

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

“Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong”

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

“Men achieve cheerfulness by moderation in pleasure and by proportion in their life excess and deficiency are apt to fluctuate and cause great changes in the soul. And souls which change over great intervals are neither stable nor cheerful. So one should set one's mind on what is possible and be content with what one has taking little account of those who are admired and envied and not dwelling on them in thought but one should consider the lives of those who are in distress thinking of their grievous sufferings so that what one has and possesses will seem great and enviable and one will cease to suffer in one's soul through the desire for more”