Lucretius

From BillionQuotes

Titus Lucretius Carus (ca. 99 BC-55 BC) was a Roman poet and philosopher. His major work is De Rerum Natura, On the Nature of Things, which is considered by some to be the greatest masterpiece of Latin verse - deeper than any other poet; more moving, imaginative than any other philosopher.

[edit]

Sourced

[edit]

On the Nature of Things

The vivid force of his mind prevailed, and he fared forth far beyond the flaming ramparts of the heavens and traversed the boundless universe in thought and mind.
- Book I, line 72

Nothing can be created from nothing.
- Book I, line 155

The first beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye.
- Book I, line 268

And yet it is hard to believe that anything
in nature could stand revealed as solid matter.
The lightning of heaven goes through the walls of houses,
like shouts and speech; iron glows white in fire;
red-hot rocks are shattered by savage steam;
hard gold is softened and melted down by heat;
chilly brass, defeated by heat, turns liquid;
heat seeps through silver, so does piercing cold;
by custom raising the cup, we feel them both
as water is poured in, drop by drop, above.
- Book I, lines 487-496

Truths kindle light for truths.
- Book I, line 1117

Pleasant it is, when over a great sea the winds trouble the waters, to gaze from shore upon another's tribulation: not because any man's troubles are a delectable joy, but because to perceive from what ills you are free yourself is pleasant.
- Book II, line 1

Life is one long struggle in the dark.
- Book II, line 54

Thus the sum of things is ever being renewed, and mortals live dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.
- Book II, line 75

So far as it goes, a small thing may give analogy of great things, and show the tracks of knowledge.
- Book II, line 123

All things must needs be borne on through the calm void, moving at equal rate with unequal rates.
- Book II, line 238

Never trust her at any time, when the calm sea shows her false alluring smile.
- Book II, line 558

What once sprung from the earth sinks back into the earth.
- Book II, line 999

So it is more useful to watch a man in times of peril, and in adversity to discern what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask is torn off, reality remains.
- Book III, line 55

For as children tremble and fear everything in the blind darkness, so we in the light sometimes fear what is no more to be feared than the things children in the dark hold in terror and imagine will come true.
- Book III, line 87

Therefore death is nothing to us, it matters not one jot, since the nature of the mind is understood to be mortal.
- Book III, line 831

Why dost thou not retire like a guest sated with the banquet of life, and with calm mind embrace, thou fool, a rest that knows no care?
- Book III, line 938

Yes, to seek power that's vain and never granted
and for it to suffer hardship and endless pain:
this is to heave and strain to push uphill
a boulder, that still from the very top rolls back
and bounds and bounces down to the bare, broad field.
- Book III, lines 998-1002

By protracting life, we do not deduct one jot from the duration of death.
- Book III, line 1087

What is food to one, is to others bitter poison.
- Book IV, line 637

But if one should guide his life by true principles, man's greatest wealth is to live on a little with contented mind; for a little is never lacking.
- Book V, line 1117