# Democritus — Dialogues character guide

> Democritus in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

Greek philosopher, proponent of atomism and cheerful wisdom.

## In the story

### [On Anger and Forgiveness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/x)

Contrasted with Heraclitus; he laughed at human folly, suggesting that everything should move us to tears or laughter, not anger.

### [Book III: On the Control of Anger and the Path to Liberty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-iii)

His maxim defining peace of mind as not laboring too much or beyond one's strength is cited as profitable for avoiding anger.

### [The Tranquil Mind: On Avoiding Anger Through Magnanimity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vi)

Quoted for his maxim defining peace of mind as not laboring much or beyond one's strength.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as a high priest of virtue with whom we may consort daily.

### [II: (Seneca)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ii-seneca)

Mentioned as the author of an excellent treatise on euthymia (peace of mind), which Seneca references.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Quoted for teaching that one should not do much unnecessary business to live at peace.

### [On the Folly of Human Grief and the Wisdom of Laughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv)

Cited as the philosopher who laughed at human follies, representing a wiser, more detached response to life's miseries.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vi)

Cited as an example of a good man who forswore riches, holding them a burden to a virtuous mind.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxvii)

Mentioned as someone reproached for disregarding money.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/democritus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters