Anaxagoras
He introduced the concept of 'Nous' (mind or intellect) as the ordering principle of the universe.
Most quoted
"When mind began to set things in motion, separation occurred from everything that was in motion, and however much mind set in motion, all this was dissociated; and as things were moving and dissociating, the revolution caused them to dissociate much more."
— from Fragments
"And mind set in order all things that were to be, and all things that were and are not now and that are, and this revolution in which now revolve the stars and the sun and the moon, and the air and the aether that are separated off."
— from Fragments
"And when mind began to move things, separating off took place from all that was moved, and all that mind moved was separated. And as things were moving and separating off, the revolution greatly increased this separating off."
— from Fragments
All quotes by Anaxagoras (149)
Nothing comes into being or perishes; it only mixes and separates.
Snow is frozen water, black when melting due to darkness within.
Earth is flat and floats on air.
Rivers flow from rains and melting snows.
Mind initiates motion in the universe.
All matter contains portions of bone, flesh, and gold.
The infinite divides into portions, yet remains whole.
Stars are ignited rocks trailing fire.
Hail is frozen vapor from clouds.
The soul is composed of the same elements as the body.
Wisdom comes from understanding the mixtures of things.
No thing is purely one; all partake in all.
The rotation of the heavens separates the heavy from the light.
Plants grow from the earth, drawing nourishment from it.
Mind is the same in all living things.
The world is eternal, undergoing constant change.
Fire and water mix to form all substances.
Comets are planets that deviate from their paths.
The true nature of things is hidden in their seeds.
Separation by Mind brings order to chaos.
Contemporaries of Anaxagoras
Other Philosophys born within 50 years of Anaxagoras (-500–-428).