Thales of Miletus

beautiful powerful difficult easy universe necessity advice

"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 (624-586BC)

thought active travel universe strong necessity

"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 (624-586BC)

avoid doing blame others

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

—Thales (624-586BC)

time wisest bring light

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

—Thales (624-586BC)

past certain future obscure

"The past is certain, the future obscure."

—Thales (624-586BC)

excessive wealth immoderate poverty justice prevail society

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

—Thales (624-586BC)

hope universal human possession

"Hope is the most universal of human possessions."

—Thales (624-586BC)

dogma precursor ruin

"Suretyship (Dogma) is the precursor of ruin."

—Thales (624-586BC)

place greatest contain everything

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

—Thales (624-586BC)

hope good common men nothing

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

—Thales (624-586BC)