Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Democritus (circa 438 - 370 BC)

"The cheerful man, who is impelled towards just and lawful actions, rejoices by day and by night, and is strong and free from care. But the man who ignores justice, and does not do what he ought, finds all such things disagreeable when he remembers any of them, and he is afraid and torments himself.... The right-minded man is he who is not grieved by what he has not, but enjoys what he has. He is fortunate who is happy with moderate means, unfortunate who is unhappy with great possessions.... If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth." Democritus
http://www.humanistictexts.org/democritus.htm#_Toc509721145

Democritus, we are told, was "highly esteemed by his fellow citizens" but deliberately overlooked or perhaps actively ignored by 'mainstream' philosophers of his era, such as Plato. Being a cheerful sort myself, I have experienced instances of shocked amazement on the part of some upon beholding my cheerfully radiant countenance. They are prone to ask, "What do you have to be so happy about?" or "Why is he so damn happy?".
http://personal.ecu.edu/mccartyr/ancient/athens/Democritus.htm



'haec scripsi raptim' -- nekkid

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