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About this quote

What does it mean?
Small things can reveal the traces of great things.
In plain terms
Minor details teach us about larger realities.
What can you take from it?
Study small examples to understand big patterns.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • research
  • analysis

Putting it to work

  • study details
  • look for patterns

Questions to consider

  • What small clue matters?
  • How do parts show the whole?

Another view

Not all small things reflect the whole.

More from Lucretius

  1. Sic rerum summa novatur semper, et inter se mortales mutua vivunt. augescunt aliae gentes, aliae inuuntur, inque brevi spatio mutantur saecla animantum et quas…

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  2. Omnia qua propter debent per inane quietum aeque ponderibus non aequis concita ferri.

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. Omnis cum in tenebris praesertim vita laboret.

    Permalink to quote #8

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