The first-beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye.
Interpretation
Understanding the origins of things often requires deeper insight than mere observation.
This quote by Lucretius highlights the idea that the initial stages or beginnings of entities, ideas, or phenomena are not always apparent or easily recognizable through superficial observation. It suggests that to comprehend the true nature of things, one must look beyond the surface and engage in deeper reflection or inquiry.
In practice
In a presentation about personal growth, one might quote Lucretius to emphasize the value of understanding one's roots.
Huts they made then, and fire, and skins for clothing, And a woman yielded to one man in wedlock... ... Common, to see the offspring they had made; The human race began to mellow then. Because of fire their shivering forms no longer Could bear the cold beneath the covering sky.
No single thing abides; but all things flow. Fragment to fragment clings - the things thus grow Until we know them and name them. By degrees They melt, and are no more the things we know.
What is food to one man is bitter poison to others.
The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.
Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.
Many animals even now spring out of the soil, Coalescing from the rains and the heat of the sun. Small wonder, then, if more and bigger creatures, Full-formed, arose from the new young earth and sky. The breed, for instance, of the dappled birds Shucked off their eggshells in the springtime, as Crickets in summer will slip their slight cocoons All by themselves, and search for food and life. Earth gave you, then, the first of mortal kinds, For all the fields were soaked with warmth and moisture.
Objectivity is impossible and it is also undesirable. That is, if it were possible it would be undesirable, because if you have any kind of a social aim, if you think history should serve society in some way; should serve the progress of the human race; should serve justice in some way, then it requires that you make your selection on the basis of what you think will advance causes of humanity.
The man has a theory. The woman has hipbones. Here comes Death.
So we don't believe that life is beautiful because we don't recall it but if we get a whiff of a long-forgotten smell we are suddenly intoxicated and similarly we think we no longer love the dead because we don't remember them but if by chance we come across an old glove we burst into tears.
Boredom flourishes too, when you feel safe. It's a symptom of security.
There is nothing wrong with being well off as long as money has a social and ethical value and is not the object of one's own greed.
You may lie with your mouth, but with the mouth you make as you do so you none the less tell the truth.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.