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

Summary

This quote, often attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, suggests that the only tangible and objective elements in existence are atoms and empty space. It implies that everything else, such as perceptions, interpretations, and beliefs, are subjective and based on individual opinions. In this view, reality is fundamentally constructed by the interactions of atoms and their arrangement, while all other aspects of the world are open to personal interpretation and understanding.