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Lucretius, On The Nature Of Things, LCL 181: Lucretius
Lucretius

Number of quotes: 15


Book ID: 162 Page: 6

Section: 4B

I fear perhaps thou deemest that we fare

An impious road to realms of thought profane;

But ‘tis that same religion oftener far

Hath bred the foul impieties of men.

Pastor John’s note: anti-religion

Quote ID: 3419

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 7/9

Section: 4B

When man’s life lay for all to see foully groveling upon the ground, crushed beneath the weight of Superstition,{a} which displayed her head from the regions of heaven, lowering over mortals with horrible aspect...

Quote ID: 8637

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 8

Section: 2E6

Fear holds dominion over mortality

Only because, seeing in land and sky

So much the cause whereof no wise they know,

Men think Divinities are working there.

Pastor John’s note: men invent gods

Quote ID: 3420

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 9

Section: 4B

Therefore Superstition is now in her turn cast down and trampled underfoot, whilst we by the victory are exalted high as heaven.

Quote ID: 8638

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 9/11

Section: 4B

One thing I fear in this matter, that in this your apprenticeship to philosophy you may perhaps see impiety, and the entering on a path of crime; whereas on the contrary more often it is that very Superstition which has brought forth criminal and impious deeds.

Quote ID: 8639

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 11

Section: 4B

You will yourself some day or other seek to fall away from us, overborne by the terrific utterances of priests.

Quote ID: 8640

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 15

Section: 2D

Received opinion, wholly false forsooth.

Quote ID: 3421

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 15

Section: 4B

The first principle of our study we will derive from this, that no thing is ever by divine power produced from nothing.{f} For assuredly a dread holds all mortals thus in bond, because they behold many things happening in heaven and earth whose causes they can by no means see, and they think them to be done by divine power.

Quote ID: 8641

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 45

Section: 2E2

And see them ev’rywhere wand’ring, all dispersed

In their lone seeking for the road of life;

Rivals in genius, or emulous in rank,

Pressing through days and nights with hugest toil

For Summits of power and mastery of the world.

O wretched minds of men! O blinded hearts!

PJ Note: Search for [the strife of wits] in the better translation at Lucretius, On The Nature Of Things, LCL 181: Lucretius, p. 95.[?].   I do not know why the ref is the same.

Quote ID: 3422

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 95

Section: 4B

Wherefore, it’s surer testing of a man

In doubtful perils-mark him as he is

Amid adversities; for then alone

Are the true voices conjured from his breast,

The mask-off-stripped, reality behind.

Quote ID: 3423

Time Periods: 04


Book ID: 162 Page: 95

Section: 4B

But nothing is more delightful than to possess lofty sanctuaries serene, well fortified by the teachings of the wise, whence you may look down upon others and behold them all astray,{a} wandering abroad and seeking the path of life:--the strife of wits, the fight for precedence, all labouring night and day with surpassing toil to mount upon the pinnacle of riches {b} and to lay hold on power. O pitiable minds of men, O blind intelligences!

Quote ID: 8642

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 135

Section: 1B,4B

First, since I teach concerning mighty things,

And go right on to loose from round the mind

The tightened coils of dread religion.

Quote ID: 3424

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 189

Section: 4B

Address to Epicurus

O you who first amid so great a darkness were able to raise aloft a light so clear, illumining the blessings of life, you I follow, O glory of the Grecian race,{a} and now on the marks you have left I plant my own footsteps firm, not so much desiring to be your rival, as for love, because I yearn to copy you…

….

You are our father, the discoverer of truths….

Quote ID: 8643

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 162 Page: 193

Section: 3C2,5B

Thus it is more useful to scrutinize a man in danger or peril, and to discern in adversity what manner of man he is: for only then are the words of truth drawn up from the very heart, the mask is torn off, the reality remains.

Quote ID: 8644

Time Periods: 04


Book ID: 162 Page: 277

Section: 2E7

… I proceed to set free the mind from the close knots of superstition….

Quote ID: 9270

Time Periods: 0



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