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If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.
Democritus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that having low desires can lead to a greater appreciation of little things in life.

Democritus implies that when one's desires are modest, even a small amount can feel like a lot. This perspective makes one rich in experiences and satisfaction, as a person with a small appetite for desires may find joy in simplicity, contrasting with those who yearn for more and feel perpetually dissatisfied.

Themes

DesiresContentmentWealthPovertyAppetite

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about lifestyle choices, one might cite this quote to promote minimalism.

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A little wisdom, now and then

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