Skip to content

Tempests, and bright lightnings, are to be sung; their…

“Tempests, and bright lightnings, are to be sung; their nature is to be told, and from what cause they pursue their course; lest, having foolishly divided the heaven into parts, you should be anxious as to the quarter from which the flying flame may come, or to what region it may betake itself; and…” quote by Lucretius
Download Open image
“Tempests, and bright lightnings, are to be sung; their nature is to be told, and from what cause they pursue their course; lest, having foolishly divided the heaven into parts, you should be anxious as to the quarter from which the flying flame may come, or to what region it may betake itself; and tremble to think how it penetrates through walled enclosures, and how, having exercised its power, it extricates itself from them. Of which phenomena the multitude can by no means see the causes, and think that they are accomplished by supernatural power.”

Lucretius

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Natural phenomena like storms are explained by natural causes, not supernatural forces; ignorance leads to fear of unknown origins.

In simple terms: Storms have natural causes, not magic.

Key Takeaway

Seek rational explanations for fear.

Themes

science philosophy nature ignorance

Mood

inquisitive analytical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • public discourse
  • science communication

Key Concepts

empiricism natural law human curiosity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we make natural explanations accessible?
  • What fears arise from unknown causes?
A Different Perspective

Complex scientific concepts can be hard to convey to lay audiences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Lucretius

Explore all 221 Lucretius quotes

More Accomplished quotes

Browse all 1,379 Accomplished quotes