--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Moving in space, the atoms originally…" description: "\"Moving in space, the atoms originally were individual units, but inevitable they began to collide with each other, and in cases where their shapes were..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/democritus-4814_air_moving-in-space-the-atoms-originally-wer_3054256.jpg" --- # Moving in space, the atoms originally were individual… ![“Moving in space, the atoms originally were individual units, but inevitable they began to collide with each other, and in cases where their shapes were such as to permit them to interlock, they began to form clusters. Water, air, fire, and earth, these are simply different clusters of the…” quote by Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/democritus-4814_air_moving-in-space-the-atoms-originally-wer_3054256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/democritus-4814_air_moving-in-space-the-atoms-originally-wer_3054256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/democritus-4814_air_moving-in-space-the-atoms-originally-wer_3054256.jpg) > “Moving in space, the atoms originally were individual units, but inevitable they began to collide with each other, and in cases where their shapes were such as to permit them to interlock, they began to form clusters. Water, air, fire, and earth, these are simply different clusters of the changeless atoms.” [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. Atoms combine into clusters forming the four classical elements, illustrating how simple units create complex matter. **In simple terms:** Atoms join to make elements. Key Takeaway Recognize how small parts build larger systems. Themes philosophy science cosmology Mood curious thoughtful Type explanatory reflective When to use this quote - education - science communication - philosophical discussion Key Concepts atomism emergence Questions to Reflect On - How do simple components create complexity? - What limits atomistic explanations? A Different Perspective Complex systems also depend on external forces beyond simple clustering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atoms/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [It shows you exactly how a star is formed; nothing else can be so pretty! 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People cluster to TV, soap operas, movies, theater, pop idols and they have wild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/twentieth-century-culture-s-disease-is-the-inability-to-feel-their/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [In a sense the world dies every time a writer dies, because, if he is any good, he has been a wet nurse to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/in-a-sense-the-world-dies-every-time-a-writer-dies-because-if-he-is/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [Look around when you have got your first mushroom or made your first discovery: they grow in clusters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/look-around-when-you-have-got-your-first-mushroom-or-made-your-first/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [What the Londoner sees in his mind’s eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and outlined against a foggy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-betjeman/what-the-londoner-sees-in-his-mind-s-eye-is-that-cluster-of-towers/) [John Betjeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-betjeman/) > [What wondrous life is this I lead! Ripe apples drop about my head; The luscious clusters of the vine Upon my mouth do crush…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-marvell/what-wondrous-life-is-this-i-lead-ripe-apples-drop-about-my-head-the/) [Andrew Marvell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-marvell/) > [Without doing injustice to the living, it may safely be asserted that our loss is irreparable; and that among the shining hosts of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-davis/without-doing-injustice-to-the-living-it-may-safely-be-asserted-that/) [Jefferson Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-davis/) > [There's an attraction to emotional clusters or hypocrisies or awkwardness. A desire to expose something or point at something that's already poking out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-chang/there-s-an-attraction-to-emotional-clusters-or-hypocrisies-or/) [Victoria Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-chang/) > [Whenever learners or those beyond learning awaken the mind, for the first time they plant one buddha-nature. Working with the four elements and five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/whenever-learners-or-those-beyond-learning-awaken-the-mind-for-the/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [In turbulent times, in times of great change, people head for the two extremes: fundamentalism and personal, spiritual experience...With no membership lists or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-naisbitt/in-turbulent-times-in-times-of-great-change-people-head-for-the-two/) [John Naisbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-naisbitt/) > [I think the recent cluster of WWII novels is so good because we have reached an optimal distance from the war. Just as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-think-the-recent-cluster-of-wwii-novels-is-so-good-because-we-have/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [You look around the world at geniuses, and they don't appear randomly, they appear in genius clusters. Athens in 50 BC, Florence 1500, Silicon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/you-look-around-the-world-at-geniuses-and-they-don-t-appear-randomly/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) > [They've (Israel) lost the battle for public opinion. They claim it's because American Jews know too little.. I claim it's because they know too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/they-ve-israel-lost-the-battle-for-public-opinion-they-claim-it-s/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) ## More by Democritus > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men will cease to be fools only when they cease to be men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-will-cease-to-be-fools-only-when-they-cease-to-be-men/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nothing exists but atoms and the void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nothing-exists-but-atoms-and-the-void/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-thou-suffer-injustice-console-thyself-the-true-unhappiness-is-in/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thoughtlessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-have-made-an-idol-of-luck-as-an-excuse-for-their-own/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [By desiring little, a poor man makes himself rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/by-desiring-little-a-poor-man-makes-himself-rich/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [People sometimes rationalize their greed by saying that it is all for the good of their children but this is nothing but an excuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/people-sometimes-rationalize-their-greed-by-saying-that-it-is-all-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/beautiful-objects-are-wrought-by-study-through-effort-but-ugly-things/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-and-education-are-somewhat-similar-the-latter-transforms-man/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [The wise man’s home is the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/the-wise-man-s-home-is-the-universe/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [“Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/accept-nothing-pleasant-unless-it-is-beneficial/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Raising children is an uncertain thing; success is reached only after a life of battle and worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/raising-children-is-an-uncertain-thing-success-is-reached-only-after/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-has-buried-truth-deep-in-the-bottom-of-the-sea/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [More men have become great through practice than by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/more-men-have-become-great-through-practice-than-by-nature/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Happiness resides not in possessions and not in golds; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/happiness-resides-not-in-possessions-and-not-in-golds-the-feeling-of/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) [Explore all 106 Democritus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. 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