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 divine is in the movement of the stars.

Anecdotal -600

Prediction of the eclipse: Darkness will come upon the day.

Herodotus -585

The soul moves itself and others.

Aristotle -550

Nature seeks to preserve the eternal order.

Attributed -600

From water, all life springs forth.

Simplicius -585

The universe is alive with divine energy.

Aristotle -550

Observe the heavens to understand the earth.

Anecdotal -600

Wisdom begins with wonder at the world.

Attributed -585

The Nile floods because of the etesian winds.

Herodotus -550

All is water, transformed by the gods.

Aristotle -600

The soul is immortal, moving through all things.

Later sources -585

Seek the origin in the simplest element.

Attributed -550

The stars are divine fires in the water.

Anecdotal -600

Unity underlies the diversity of creation.

Aristotle -585

Motion reveals the presence of the soul.

Aristotle -550

The cosmos is a living organism.

Attributed -600

Water nourishes and sustains all existence.

Simplicius -585

The wise man contemplates the eternal.

Diogenes Laertius -550

Change is the law of the watery principle.

Later interpretations -600

The earth rests upon the boundless sea.

Aristotle -585