Quote by Lucretius: “Nothing can be created from nothing.”

This fundamental principle states that matter cannot simply appear out of nowhere without a cause. It forms a basis for understanding the physical world, implying that everything we see has a prior cause or constituent parts, a concept still relevant today.

This quote is a foundational principle of ancient atomic theory, which Lucretius championed. It was a radical idea in a time when many believed in creation by divine fiat, reflecting an early scientific approach to understanding the universe.

Roman Epicurean philosopher and poet who lived approximately 99–55 BCE. His only surviving work, De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things), presents an atomic theory of the universe and argues that understanding nature is the path to freedom from fear of death and divine punishment. Almost nothing is known of his personal life.