Democritus
Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher.
Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.
To a wise man, the whole earth is open; for the native land of a good soul is the whole earth.
If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.
In cattle excellence is displayed in strength of body; but in men it lies in strength of character.
It is hard to fight desire; but to control it is the sign of a reasonable man.
The animal needing something knows how much it needs, the man does not.
Coition is a slight attack of apoplexy. For man gushes forth from man, and is separated by being torn apart with a kind of blow.
Moderation multiplies pleasures, and increases pleasure.
Men have fashioned an image of Chance as an excuse for their own stupidity. For Chance rarely conflicts with intelligence, and most things in life can be set in order by an intelligent sharpsightedness.
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.
The laws would not prevent each man from living according to his inclination, unless individuals harmed each other; for envy creates the beginning of strife.
Education is an ornament for the prosperous, a refuge for the unfortunate.
The first principles of the universe are atoms and empty space; everything else is merely thought to exist.
No power and no treasure can outweigh the extension of our knowledge.
Immoderate desire is the mark of a child, not a man.
The brave man is not only he who overcomes the enemy, but he who is stronger than pleasures. Some men are masters of cities, but are enslaved to women.
Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.
Good breeding in cattle depends on physical health, but in men on a well-formed character.
[I would] rather discover one cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.
Man is a universe in little [Microcosm].