Lucretius
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. Stylistically however, most scholars attribute the full blossoming of Latin hexameter to Virgil. The De Rerum Natura however, is of indisputable importance for its influence on Virgil and other later poetry. The main purpose of the work was to free men's minds of superstition and fear of death.
10 Quotes
Though the dungeon, the scourge, and the executioner be absent, the guilty mind can apply the goad and scorch with blows.
— Lucretius
The greatest wealth is to live content with little, for there is never want where the mind is satisfied.
— Lucretius
From the very fountain of enchantment there arises a taste of bitterness to spread anguish amongst the flowers.
— Lucretius
The drops of rain make a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling.
— Lucretius
The fall of dropping water wears away the Stone.
— Lucretius
Pleasant it is, when over a great sea the winds trouble the waters, to gaze from shore upon another's great tribulation; not because any man's troubles are a delectable joy, but because to perceive you are free of them yourself is pleasant.
— Lucretius
Pleasant it to behold great encounters of warfare arrayed over the plains, with no part of yours in peril.
— Lucretius
What is food to one man is bitter poison to others.
— Lucretius
It is great wealth to a soul to live frugally with a contented mind.
— Lucretius
In the midst of the fountain of wit there arises something bitter, which stings in the very flowers.
— Lucretius