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

The fastest is mind, for it runs through everything.

Diogenes Laërtius

The strongest is necessity, for it masters all.

Diogenes Laërtius

The wisest is time, for it discovers everything.

Diogenes Laërtius

A happy man is one who is healthy in body, resourceful in soul, and of a readily teachable nature.

Diogenes Laërtius

It is not many words that prove a wise man, but a timely word.

Diogenes Laërtius

It is not the fact of living but of living well that is to be prized.

Diogenes Laërtius

God is the most ancient of all things, for he is uncreated.

Diogenes Laërtius

The world is animate and full of divinities.

Reported by Aristotle and others

Place is the greatest thing, as it contains all things.

Diogenes Laërtius

To bring surety brings ruin.

Diogenes Laërtius

Death is no different from life.

Diogenes Laërtius

Be sure there is no difference between life and death. 'Why then,' said someone, 'do you not die?' 'Because,' said he, 'there is no difference.'

Diogenes Laërtius

The sun is made of earth.

Hippolytus, 'Refutation of All Heresies'

The stars are earthy and have fire.

Hippolytus

Eclipses of the sun occur when the moon passes in front of it in its course.

Paraphrase of doxography

The year has 365 days.

Doxographical tradition

The solstices and equinoxes are determined by the sun's path.

Paraphrase of doxography

The earth is spherical.

Attributed in some late sources (likely anachronistic)

The earth is at the center of the universe.

Doxographical tradition

The sea is the source of waters and of winds; for without the great sea, there would be no winds nor streams of rivers nor rainfall from the sky.

Seneca, 'Natural Questions'