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Thales Quotes

28 Noteworthy Quotes By Thales

Famous As: Philosopher

Born On: 624 BC

Died On: 546 BC

Born In: Miletus Ancient Theater, Turkey

Died At Age: 78

Thales of Miletus was an influential pre-Socratic Greek mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. He belonged to Miletus in Asia Minor. He is recognized as one of the ‘Seven Sages of Greece.’ He is considered to be the foremost philosopher in the Greek tradition by Aristotle. Historically, he is regarded as being the first person in Western civilization, who engaged and entertained is scientific philosophy. He is credited for explaining phenomena and natural objects by hypothesis and theories. He was a multi-dimensional figure, and revered to this day. Zoom through the famous quotes and sayings by Thales, which has been gathered from his writings, thought and works.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

What man is happy? He who has a healthy body, a resourceful mind, and a docile nature.

What man is happy? He who has a healthy body, a resourceful mind, and a docile nature.
Thales

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.
Life
Thales

Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than necessity for all must submit to it.

Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than necessity for all must submit to it.
Thales

Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.

Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.
Time
Thales

Necessity is the strongest of things, for it rules everything.

Necessity is the strongest of things, for it rules everything.
Thales

God is the most ancient of all things, for he had no birth.

God is the most ancient of all things, for he had no birth.
Thales

Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.

Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.
Thales

The past is certain, the future obscure.

The past is certain, the future obscure.
Past
Thales

Intellect is the swiftest of things, for it runs through everything.

Intellect is the swiftest of things, for it runs through everything.
Thales

I did not become a father because I am fond of children.

I did not become a father because I am fond of children.
Children
Thales

There are three attributes for which I am grateful to Fortune: that I was born, first, human and not animal; second, man and not woman; and third, Greek and not barbarian.

There are three attributes for which I am grateful to Fortune: that I was born, first, human and not animal; second, man and not woman; and third, Greek and not barbarian.
Thales

What is it that is most beautiful? - The Universe; for it is the work of God. What is most powerful? - Necessity; because it triumphs over all things. What is most difficult? - To know one's self. What is most easy? - To give advice. What method must we take to lead a good life? - To do nothing we would condemn in others. What is necessary to happiness? - A sound body and a contented mind.
Beautiful
Thales

All things are from water and all things are resolved into water.

All things are from water and all things are resolved into water.
Thales

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

A multitude of words is no proof of a prudent mind.
Thales

We live not, in reality, on the summit of a solid earth but at the bottom of an ocean of air

We live not, in reality, on the summit of a solid earth but at the bottom of an ocean of air
Future
Thales

[One] who is healthy in body, resourceful in soul and of a readily teachable nature.

[One] who is healthy in body, resourceful in soul and of a readily teachable nature.
Soul
Thales

I will be sufficiently rewarded if when telling it to others you will not claim the discovery as your own, but will say it was mine.

I will be sufficiently rewarded if when telling it to others you will not claim the discovery as your own, but will say it was mine.
Thales

Suretyship (Dogma) is the precursor of ruin.

Suretyship (Dogma) is the precursor of ruin.
Thales

If there is neither excessive wealth nor immoderate poverty in a nation, then justice may be said to prevail.

If there is neither excessive wealth nor immoderate poverty in a nation, then justice may be said to prevail.
Thales

As brightness is to rustiness, so labor excelleth idleness.

As brightness is to rustiness, so labor excelleth idleness.
Thales

Conceal thy domestic ills.
Thales

Take Time by the forelock.
Thales

Many words are not proof of the wise man, because the sage only talk when it's needed, and the words are measured and corresponding with the need.

Many words are not proof of the wise man, because the sage only talk when it's needed, and the words are measured and corresponding with the need.
Thales

Who is happy? This is a person, who has a healthy body, is dowered with peace of mind and cultivates his talents.

Who is happy? This is a person, who has a healthy body, is dowered with peace of mind and cultivates his talents.
Peace
Thales

Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.

Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.
Thales

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

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

Hope is the most universal of human possessions.

Hope is the most universal of human possessions.
Thales

Placing your stick at the end of the shadow of the pyramid, you made by the sun's rays two triangles, and so proved that the pyramid [height] was to the stick [height] as the shadow of the pyramid to the shadow of the stick.
Thales