Top 28 Quotes & Sayings by Thales

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Greek philosopher Thales.

Last updated on April 15, 2025.

Thales of Miletus 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 known to have entertained and engaged in scientific philosophy. He is often referred to as the Father of Science.

Greek - Philosopher | 624 BC - 546 BC

Source: Wikipedia

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

Thales

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.

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.

Thales

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

Thales

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

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.

Thales

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

Thales

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

Thales

As brightness is to rustiness, so labor excelleth idleness.

Thales

Conceal thy domestic ills.

Thales

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

Thales

Take Time by the forelock.

Thales

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

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.

Thales

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

Thales

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

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.

Thales

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

Thales

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

Thales

Suretyship (Dogma) is the precursor of ruin.

Thales

Hope is the most universal of human possessions.

Thales

Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.

Thales

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

Thales

The past is certain, the future obscure.

Thales

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

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

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

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.

Thales