TOP 15 Quotes by Thales | Thales of Miletus | The pre-Socratic Philosopher

Thales of Miletus (c. 624/623 – c. 548/545 BC) was a Greek mathematician, astronomer and pre-Socratic philosopher from Miletus in Ionia, Asia Minor. He was one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Many, most notably Aristotle, regarded him as the first philosopher in the Greek tradition, and he is otherwise historically recognized as the first individual in Western civilization known to have entertained and engaged in scientific philosophy.

Thales's Quotes:

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


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


3. "The past is certain, the future obscure."


4. "The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself."


5. "Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing."


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


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


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


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


10. "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."


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


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


13. "Hope is the most universal of human possessions."


14. "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."


15. "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."