Democritus

“The first principles of the universe are atoms and empty space.”

“Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.”

“By convention sweet, by convention bitter, by convention hot, by convention cold, by convention color; but in reality atoms and void.”

“To a wise man, the whole earth is his fatherland.”

“Nature and teaching are similar, for teaching reshapes the man and, in reshaping, creates his nature.”

“It is greed to do all the talking and not to want to listen at all.”

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

“No power and no treasure can outweigh the extension of our knowledge.”

“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.”

“A life without festivity is a long road without an inn.”

“Men should strive to think much, not to know much.”

“The brave man is he who overcomes not only his enemies but his pleasures.”

“The wrongdoer is more unfortunate than the man wronged.”

“Cheerfulness is the goal of life.”

“Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.”

“Raising children is an uncertain thing; success is reached only after a life of battle and worry.”

“The foolish learn from their misfortunes, the wise from the misfortunes of others.”

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

“My advice to all who read my writings is to honour the search for truth.”

“The word is the shadow of the deed.”