Lucretius Quotes on Knowledge
Titus Lucretius Carus was a 1st-century BC Roman poet and Epicurean philosopher, known for his sole surviving work, the long Latin poem De Rerum Natura, On the Nature of Things. This page collects quotes attributed to Lucretius on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“Life is one long struggle in the dark.”
Omnis cum in tenebris praesertim vita laboret. -
“Ergo vivida vis animi pervicit et extra processit longe flammantia moenia mundi atque omne immensum peragravit mente animoque.”
The living force of his soul gained the day: on he passed far beyond the flaming walls of the world and traversed throughout in mind and spirit the immeasurable universe. | Book I, lines 72–74 (tr. H. A. J. Munro); of Epicurus . -
“Book I, lines 72–74 (tr. H. A. J. Munro); of Epicurus .”
Ergo vivida vis animi pervicit et extra processit longe flammantia moenia mundi atque omne immensum peragravit mente animoque. -
“Quare religio pedibus subiecta vicissim opteritur, nos exaequat victoria caelo.”
Superstition is now in her turn cast down and trampled underfoot, whilst we by the victory are exalted high as heaven. | Book I, lines 78–79 (tr. W. H. D. Rouse) -
“Book I, lines 78–79 (tr. W. H. D. Rouse)”
Quare religio pedibus subiecta vicissim opteritur, nos exaequat victoria caelo. -
“Saepius illa religio peperit scelerosa atque impia facta.”
Again and again our foe, religion, has given birth to deeds sinful and unholy. | Book I, lines 82–83 (tr. C. Bailey) -
“Book I, lines 82–83 (tr. C. Bailey)”
Saepius illa religio peperit scelerosa atque impia facta. -
“Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.”
So potent was Religion in persuading to do wrong. | Book I, line 101 (tr. Alicia Stallings) | H. A. J. Munro's translation: So great the evils to which religion could prompt! | W. H. D. Rouse's translation: So potent was Superstition in persuading to evil deeds.