Thales of Miletus
Considered the first philosopher and scientist, he proposed that water was the fundamental element of the universe.
Quotes by Thales of Miletus
The stars are made of earth, but fiery.
Eclipses of the sun occur when the moon passes in front of it.
The most pleasant thing is to succeed.
The most useful thing is iron.
The most excellent thing is to be born.
The most common thing is hope.
The most beautiful thing is the cosmos.
The most ancient thing is God, for he is uncreated.
Water is the best.
Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else have always hope.
What is the most difficult? To know yourself. What is the easiest? To give advice to another.
Many words do not prove a man wise.
Nothing is older than God, for he was never created.
Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the whole universe.
Nothing is stronger than necessity, for all must submit to it.
What is divine? That which has neither beginning nor end.
The world is the most beautiful of things, for it is the work of God.
He was once led out of his house by an old woman to look at the stars, and fell into a ditch, whereupon the old woman exclaimed, 'How can you expect to know what is going on in the heavens, when you cannot see what is at your feet?'
When asked what was common to all men, he said, 'Hope; for those who have nothing else have that.'
When asked what was difficult, he said, 'To know oneself.' When asked what was easy, he said, 'To give advice to another.'