Quote #0
By convention sweet and by convention bitter, by convention hot, by convention cold, by convention color; but in reality atoms and void.
Democritus
About This Quote
This line is typically presented as a fragment from ancient Greek atomist philosophy, contrasting everyday sensory qualities with what the philosopher takes to be the underlying constituents of nature.
Interpretation
It argues that properties like taste, temperature, and color are not fundamental features of reality but depend on human perception and convention, whereas the basic reality consists of material particles and empty space.
Variations
By convention sweet, by convention bitter; by convention hot, by convention cold; by convention color; but in truth atoms and void.
