🏛️ The Apology of a Madman –Democritus (460-370 BCE)

Democritus was an ancient Greek philosopher who made significant contributions to early philosophy and science; he is often called the "father of atomic theory."

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🔱 The Apology of a Madman

Around 400 BC, Hippocrates, a renowned ancient physician, was asked to examine the great scientist Democritus due to complaints that he was behaving abnormally and laughed strangely whenever he encountered people. Hippocrates posed questions as he attempted to understand and explain Democritus’ unusual behavior.

The following is an excerpt from this examination

Hippocrates:

“Tell me, Democritus, in the name of the Gods, is everyone ill without realizing it? Can they not seek treatment, since everyone is unwell and nothing exists beyond that?”

 

Democritus:

“There are infinite worlds, Hippocrates. Do not consider our Nature to be small and limited, for it is, in fact, immensely rich.”

 

Hippocrates:

But you should teach all this, Democritus, at another, more appropriate time, because I fear that the idea of infinity will make you start laughing again. For now, it is time to apologize to the community for your laughter.”

 

Democritus:

“You think the only reasons for my laughter are good and evil?

But I laugh only at man.

A man who is full of nonsense and empty of anything sound, whose every endeavor resembles the efforts of a small child, suffering unbearable labor without any gain.

A man, who longs to travel to the ends of the earth and to depths without limit, melting silver and gold he never stops acquiring, always making noise in pursuit of more, and he is not ashamed to be called happy while digging in the depths of the earth with chained hands. People from whom others seize land, and others are oppressed, forced to live in this hell as if it were their home—scraping up silver and gold, searching for dust and nuggets, shifting heaps of sand from here to there, opening the veins of the earth, breaking rock and gravel for the sake of property, making Mother Earth an enemy, and then at other times admiring her—though she always remains the same.

It makes me laugh that they cherish the hidden, laborious earth while scorning the visible one. Some buy dogs, others horses, and some mark off large plots to call their private property. Others, wanting even more land but unable to acquire it alone, marry women they later abandon. They love, they hate, they have children at will—and then abandon them, too.

How is this hollow ambition and reckless rush any different from madness? They wage war and reject peace. They ambush kings, commit murder, dig for silver, and when they find it, they want land—then sell the land to seek silver again. How do they ever change? When they have no property, they crave it. When they have it, they hide it or try to be rid of it.

I laugh at all who suffer misfortune; even more so at those who are unhappy because they violated the laws of truth, fighting with hostility among themselves, with their brothers, children, and fellow citizens, all to acquire what no one can possess after death.

They kill each other, disregard laws, are indifferent to the suffering of friends and their homeland, enrich themselves with unworthy things, and are soulless. They give all their wealth to buy statues—believing they speak—yet hate those who speak the truth.

They desire what is difficult: when inland, they long for the sea; when on an island, they long for the mainland. They twist everything to fit their desires. They claim to admire bravery in war, yet every day they are defeated by their licentiousness, greed, and the passions that consume them.

So, Hippocrates, why do you condemn my laughter? No one laughs at his own foolishness, but all mock the foolishness of others. My laughter is a judgment on the folly of mankind, who are blind and deaf to reason.”

As he departed, Hippocrates thanked the people for inviting him and giving him the chance to meet Democritus—a man who had examined and understood the truth of human nature.

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📖 Sources: 

• "Letters – Hippocrates greets Damagitos"
• https://el.wikisource.org
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democritus

 

■ Famous Quotes (The Apology of a Madman)

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