Democritus Quotes

A collection of quotes by Democritus.

Democritus (c. 460 BCE – c. 370 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher born in Abdera, Thrace (modern-day Greece). He is best known for his contribution to the development of atomic theory and his ideas on the nature of reality.

Democritus believed that all matter was made up of tiny, indivisible particles called "atoms," which he considered to be the fundamental building blocks of the universe. These atoms, according to Democritus, are in constant motion and combine in different ways to form the various substances we observe. His atomic theory laid the foundation for understanding the properties and behavior of matter, providing an alternative to the prevailing theories of the time.

Despite his significant contributions to science, Democritus' philosophical works were equally remarkable. He delved into subjects such as ethics, epistemology, and cosmology, exploring questions about the nature of knowledge, the existence of gods, and the origin of the universe. Democritus argued that truth can be discovered through reason and observation rather than relying on mythical explanations.

However, many of Democritus' works have been lost over time, and today, his ideas are usually known through the writings of later philosophers such as Aristotle. Nonetheless, his atomic theory and his rational approach to understanding the world had a lasting impact on the development of scientific thought, laying the groundwork for modern physics and shaping the path of scientific discovery.