Virtue isn't not wronging others but not wishing to wrong others.
DemocritusRead
Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creating beauty requires conscious effort, while ugliness can occur naturally without any work.
This quote by Democritus underscores the importance of dedication and hard work in the pursuit of beauty and quality. It suggests that while beautiful creations stem from thoughtful study and diligent effort, the opposite—ugliness and disorder—can arise effortlessly, highlighting the value of intentionality in our endeavors.
Themes
BeautyEffortStudyCreationUgliness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity, one might say, 'As Democritus wisely noted, beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort.'
More from Democritus
All quotes →One should practice much sense, not much learning.
DemocritusRead
Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.
DemocritusRead
It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
DemocritusRead
If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.
DemocritusRead
The wrongdoer is more unfortunate than the man wronged.
DemocritusRead
Similar quotes
Existence is a series of footnotes to a vast, obscure, unfinished masterpiece.
Vladimir NabokovRead
Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
When I was younger, I could do something useful just by being free for half a day, but now I need five days to get the world I've left out of my head and ten days or a fortnight not talking to anyone to hold what I need to hold inside my head.
Tom StoppardRead
Gods always behave like the people who make them.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.
Alfred AdlerRead
I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith. The gentle figure of Christ, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek - I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man.
Mahatma GandhiRead