Lucretius Quotes
A collection of quotes by Lucretius.
Lucretius (c. 99 BCE – c. 55 BCE), also known as Titus Lucretius Carus, was a Roman poet and philosopher best known for his epic poem "De Rerum Natura" (On the Nature of Things). Very little is known about his personal life, and his biography remains somewhat elusive.
Lucretius was a native of the Roman Republic, believed to have been born in the city of Rome. He was likely a member of the upper class and received a traditional Roman education. Influenced by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, Lucretius embraced his philosophy of Epicureanism, which centered on the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
His only surviving work, "De Rerum Natura," aims to convey Epicurean teachings and describes the physical and metaphysical workings of the world. In this didactic poem, Lucretius discusses various topics such as the nature of atoms, the nature of the soul, and the principles of cosmology. His work challenged prevailing religious beliefs and promoted a materialistic view of the universe.
Although Lucretius likely lived a relatively short life, his philosophical poem had a lasting impact on later Roman and Renaissance thought. Discovered and rediscovered throughout the centuries, his work was heralded for its poetic elegance and intellectual depth. Lucretius' influence can be seen in the works of later philosophers like Thomas Jefferson and Karl Marx, emphasizing his enduring legacy in shaping Western ideas.
