Thales of Miletus

Cosmology Ancient Greek -624 – -546 337 quotes

Considered the first philosopher and scientist, he proposed that water was the fundamental element of the universe.

Quotes by Thales of Miletus

Do not be a slave to folly.

Stobaeus, Florilegium

Water is the archê, the fundamental principle of all things.

Attributed by Aristotle, Metaphysics

The world is sustained by water.

Attributed by Seneca, Naturales Quaestiones

What is the most difficult? To know yourself. What is the easiest? To give advice.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

Time is the wisest of all things, for it brings everything to light.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

What is God? That which has no beginning and no end.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The earth floats on water like a log.

Attributed by Aristotle, De Caelo

The magnet has a soul, because it moves iron.

Attributed by Aristotle, De Anima

Do not do that to your neighbor which you would take ill from him.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

A multitude of words is no proof of a wise mind.

Attributed by Stobaeus

The most just thing is time, for it brings everything to light.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The sun is not a god, but a fiery mass.

Attributed by Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies

Everything is full of gods, even the stones.

Attributed by Aetius

The origin of all things is water.

Attributed by Simplicius, Commentary on Aristotle's Physics

The most powerful thing is necessity, for it governs all things.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The most common thing is hope, for those who have nothing else have it still.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The most beautiful thing is the world, for it is the work of God.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The most difficult thing is to know yourself, the easiest to advise others.

Attributed by Diogenes Laërtius

The earth is a flat disk floating on water.

Attributed by Aetius

The soul is that which is always in motion.

Attributed by Aristotle, De Anima