Lucretius Quotes - Page 2

The body searches for that which has injured the mind with love.

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.

For fools admire and love those things they see hidden in verses turned all upside down, and take for truth what sweetly strokes the ears and comes with sound of phrases fine imbued.

All things obey fixed laws.

Nothing comes from nothing.

Air, I should explain, becomes wind when it is agitated.

Rest, brother, rest. Have you done ill or well Rest, rest, There is no God, no gods who dwell Crowned with avenging righteousness on high Nor frowning ministers of their hate in hell.

There can be no centre in infinity.

There is nothing that exists so great or marvelous that over time mankind does not admire it less and less.

The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.

What came from the earth returns back to the earth, and the spirit that was sent from heaven, again carried back, is received into the temple of heaven.

The first-beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye.

Not they who reject the gods are profane, but those who accept them.

Death is nothing to us, it matters not one jot, since the nature of the mind is understood to be mortal.

Religious questions have often led to wicked and impious actions.

Tears for the mourners who are left behind Peace everlasting for the quiet dead.

Human life lay foul before men's eyes, crushed to the dust beneath religion's weight.

The mask is torn off, while the reality remains

Beauty and strength were, both of them, much esteemed; Then wealth was discovered and soon after gold Which quickly became more honoured than strength or beauty. For men, however strong or beautiful, Generally follow the train of a richer man.

Truths kindle light for truths.

There is so much wrong with the world. (tanta stat praedita culpa)

Violence and injury enclose in their net all that do such things, and generally return upon him who began.

Were a man to order his life by the rules of true reason, a frugal substance joined to a contented mind is for him great riches; for never is there any lack of a little.

What once sprung from the earth sinks back into the earth.

It's easier to avoid the snares of love than to escape once you are in that net whose cords and knots are strong; but even so, enmeshed, entangled, you can still get out unless, poor fool, you stand in your own way.