Accidents Quote by Lucretius
“And thus thou canst remark that every act At bottom exists not of itself, nor is As body is, nor has like name with void; But rather of sort more fitly to be called An accident of body, and of place Wherein all things go on.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: De Rerum Natura, Book 1, c. 50 BC
All things exist as accidents of body and place, not as independent entities; reality is relational and contingent.
In simple terms: Things exist only as accidents of body and place.
Key Takeaway
Recognize interdependence of all phenomena.
Themes
philosophy
metaphysics
interconnectedness
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- science
- education
- environmental policy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
atomism
contingency
relational ontology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing things as accidents affect responsibility?
- Can relational thinking guide ethical choices?
A Different Perspective
Limits of this view ignore agency and purpose.
![“Lionel Goettreider read Cats Cradle and had a crucial realization, what he called the "Accident" - when you invent a new technology you also invent the accident of that technology. When you invent the car, you also invent the car accident. [……] The Accident doesn't just apply to technology, it…” quote by Elan Mastai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/965/elan-mastai-22667_car-accident_lionel-goettreider-read-cats-cradle-and_3149653.jpg)
![“... deprived of pain, and also deprived of danger, able to do what it wants, [Nature] does not need us, nor understands our deserts, and it cannot be angry.” quote by Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/45d/lucretius-1632_able_deprived-of-pain-and-also-deprived-of-da_83651.jpg)
