Euclid

Mathematics Greek -325 – -265 439 quotes

Father of geometry, wrote Elements

Quotes by Euclid

The beautiful is always symmetrical.

Attributed, reflecting the aesthetic principles inherent in Euclidean geometry.

In geometry, there are no separate roads for kings.

A rephrasing of 'There is no royal road to geometry,' emphasizing equality in the pursuit of knowledge.

The universe is written in the language of mathematics.

Attributed, a common philosophical interpretation of the implications of his work.

To understand the world, one must first understand its measurements.

Attributed, reflecting the practical and foundational aspect of geometry.

The pursuit of knowledge is the noblest of all endeavors.

Attributed, reflecting the general philosophical outlook of ancient Greek scholars.

Through order and reason, we find beauty and truth.

Attributed, summarizing the core tenets of Euclidean thought.

The foundations of knowledge are laid in the simplest of truths.

Attributed, reflecting the axiomatic approach of the Elements.

Magnitudes which coincide with one another are equal to one another.

Euclid's Elements, Book I, Common Notion 4

Any two sides of a triangle are together greater than the remaining side.

Euclid's Elements, Book I, Proposition 20

In any right-angled triangle the square on the side opposite the right angle equals the sum of the squares on the sides containing the right angle.

Euclid's Elements, Book I, Proposition 47 (Pythagorean Theorem)

If a straight line be cut in extreme and mean ratio, the square on the greater segment added to the half of the whole is five times the square on the half of the whole.

Euclid's Elements, Book II, Proposition 11 (Golden Ratio construction)

The angles at the base of isosceles triangles are equal to one another; and, if the equal straight lines be produced further, the angles under the base will be equal to one another.

Euclid's Elements, Book I, Proposition 5 (Pons Asinorum)

If four magnitudes be proportional, the product of the extremes is equal to the product of the means; and if the product of the extremes be equal to the product of the means, the four magnitudes will be proportional.

Euclid's Elements, Book VII, Proposition 19

There are more prime numbers than any assigned multitude of prime numbers.

Euclid's Elements, Book IX, Proposition 20 (Proof of infinitude of primes)

To find the greatest common measure of two given numbers not prime to one another.

Euclid's Elements, Book VII, Proposition 2 (Euclidean Algorithm)

If two numbers be prime to one another, and a number measure one of them, it will be prime to the remaining number.

Euclid's Elements, Book VII, Proposition 29

To construct a cube from two given straight lines.

Euclid's Elements, Book XI, Proposition 28

Similar solid figures are to one another in the triplicate ratio of their homologous sides.

Euclid's Elements, Book XI, Proposition 33

Any pyramid is a third part of the prism which has the same base with it and equal height.

Euclid's Elements, Book XII, Proposition 7

Spheres are to one another in the triplicate ratio of their respective diameters.

Euclid's Elements, Book XII, Proposition 18