---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By convention sweet is sweet, by…"
description: "\"By convention sweet is sweet, by convention bitter is bitter, by convention hot is hot, by convention cold is cold, by convention color is color. But i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/democritus-4814_atoms_by-convention-sweet-is-sweet-by-conventi_805973.jpg"
---

#  By convention sweet is sweet, by convention bitter is…

![“By convention sweet is sweet, by convention bitter is bitter, by convention hot is hot, by convention cold is cold, by convention color is color. But in reality there are atoms and the void. That is, the objects of sense are supposed to be real and it is customary to regard them as such, but in…” quote by Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/democritus-4814_atoms_by-convention-sweet-is-sweet-by-conventi_805973.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/democritus-4814_atoms_by-convention-sweet-is-sweet-by-conventi_805973.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/democritus-4814_atoms_by-convention-sweet-is-sweet-by-conventi_805973.jpg)

> “By convention sweet is sweet, by convention bitter is bitter, by convention hot is hot, by convention cold is cold, by convention color is color. But in reality there are atoms and the void. That is, the objects of sense are supposed to be real and it is customary to regard them as such, but in truth they are not. Only the atoms and the void are real.”

[Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/)

## About This Quote

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

The quote challenges conventional labels, asserting that only fundamental particles and empty space truly exist, while sensory perceptions are illusory.

**In simple terms:** Only atoms and void are real; senses deceive.

Key Takeaway

Question appearances.

Themes

philosophy perception reality

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- science education
- spiritual practice
- everyday decision making

Key Concepts

atomism skepticism metaphysics

Questions to Reflect On

- What do you consider truly real?
- How do senses shape your reality?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex phenomena.

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[Atoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atoms/) [Being real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-real/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Colour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colour/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Void](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/void/)

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