The laughing philosopher of Abdera. He should rather be termed
the deriding philosopher, because he derided or laughed at
people's folly or vanity. It is said that he put out his eyes that he
might think more deeply.
Democritus, dear droll, revisit earth,
And with our follies glut thy heightened mirth.
Prior.
Democritus Junior. Robert Burton, author of The Anatomy of
Melancholy (1576-1640).
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
