"The animal needing something knows how much it needs, the man does not."

Democritus Philosophy See all quotes by Democritus →

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More by Democritus

“[I would] rather discover one cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.”

“Man is a universe in little [Microcosm].”

“We know nothing accurately in reality, but [only] as it changes according to the bodily condition, and the constitution of those things that flow upon [the body] and impinge upon it.”

“Democritus in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”

“The man who is fortunate in his choice of son-in-law gains a son; the man unfortunate in his choice loses his daughter also.”

“Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.”

Resonant Thoughts

"One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you've got a p…"

— Robert Fulghum

Politics1937

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"Drugs were absolutely central to that experience, but they weren't essential. I only know that in retrospect. At the time I'm sure I would have said that they were."

— William Gibson

Literature1948–2008

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"Interviewer: You kind of do a farewell, I guess, to Jeff Buckley at the end of some of your recent shows. I know you guys recorded the same song, at one time ― and we're going to play Hallelujah in ju…"

— Jeff Buckley

Music1966–1997

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"I don't know what people find or like in me, I'm hopelessly commonplace! ... Current appreciation of my work is a bit "highbrow", I've always considered myself a popular artist."

— Maxfield Parrish

Art1870–1966

#knowledge