ByQuotes

Pythagoras Quotes

Powerful Pythagoras for Daily Growth

About Pythagoras

Pythagoras (c. 570 BCE - c. 495 BCE), renowned Greek philosopher and mathematician, was born on the island of Samos, Ionia, but is most famously associated with the city of Croton in Magna Graecia (modern-day Italy). He is best known for Pythagorean theorem, yet his contributions to mathematics, philosophy, and spirituality were vast and influential. At a young age, Pythagoras left Samos for Egypt and Babylon, where he studied under Egyptian priests, Mesopotamian scholars, and Persian magi. These experiences heavily influenced his philosophical and mathematical ideas, blending Eastern mysticism with Western logic. Returning to Greece, Pythagoras founded the Pythagorean Brotherhood or 'Academy' in Croton, where he developed a comprehensive system that combined philosophy, mathematics, music, astronomy, and religion. The brotherhood was built on the principle of metempsychosis, the belief in reincarnation. Pythagoras is credited with many mathematical discoveries, including the principles of irrational numbers, geometric progression, and the fundamental theorem of algebra. His most famous work, the Pythagorean Theorem - "in a right-angled triangle, the square on the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides" - was not only a mathematical breakthrough but served as a blueprint for many future geometric discoveries. Pythagoras' spiritual and philosophical teachings, however, have been more debated throughout history. His focus on ethics, moral conduct, and the harmonious relationships among all things has influenced countless thinkers, from Socrates to Plato to Aristotle. Despite controversies surrounding his life, Pythagoras' legacy remains indelible in the realms of mathematics, philosophy, and spirituality.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Let number be the ruler of things and their common measure."

This quote by Pythagoras signifies the fundamental role of mathematics, specifically numbers, in understanding and interpreting the world around us. He suggests that numbers are not just abstract concepts but rather the building blocks of all physical phenomena, serving as a universal tool to quantify and analyze natural occurrences. In essence, Pythagoras emphasizes the power of mathematics in unifying diverse aspects of reality.

"All things are numbers."

This quote by Pythagoras suggests that every aspect of the universe, from physical objects to abstract concepts, can be understood and explained through mathematics and numerical relationships. In essence, Pythagoras believed that the fundamental structure of reality is mathematical in nature, with numbers acting as a universal language or framework for understanding the world around us. This view has had significant influence on various fields, including philosophy, science, and art, where many theories and principles are based on numerical relationships and mathematical structures.

"God is a geometrical point within the cosmic sphere."

Pythagoras, in this statement, views God as a singular, infinite, and unchanging entity, symbolized as a geometric point. He sees the universe as a cosmic sphere, suggesting a belief in harmony, order, and unity within the cosmos. This perspective emphasizes that God is not only the source of the universe but also its fundamental structure or essence. It highlights Pythagoras' belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the inherent geometry of existence itself.

"It is impossible that in an account involving three terms, the sum should be equal to the middle term."

This quote by Pythagoras refers to what we now know as the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics. It states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. The quote implies that it's not possible for the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides to be equal to the square of one of them, which is a fundamental principle in Euclidean geometry.

"In number lies the root of all things, and the intelligence of all things is embedded in numbers."

This quote by Pythagoras underscores the ancient Greek philosopher's belief that numbers are not just abstract mathematical entities but fundamental building blocks of reality itself. He suggests that the structure and order in the universe can be understood through numeric relationships, which he saw as reflecting a deeper, inherent intelligence or harmony. Essentially, Pythagoras believed that numbers are the key to understanding the underlying patterns and laws that govern the cosmos.

A thought is an idea in transit.

- Pythagoras

Thought, Idea, Transit

As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.

- Pythagoras

Living, Will, Other, Massacre

Strength of mind rests in sobriety; for this keeps your reason unclouded by passion.

- Pythagoras

Mind, Reason, Sobriety, Rests

No one is free who has not obtained the empire of himself.

- Pythagoras

Free, Himself, Obtained, Empire

Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in a few.

- Pythagoras

Words, Deal, Few, Great Deal

It is better wither to be silent, or to say things of more value than silence. Sooner throw a pearl at hazard than an idle or useless word; and do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few.

- Pythagoras

Silent, Deal, Sooner, Great Deal

Begin thus from the first act, and proceed; and, in conclusion, at the ill which thou hast done, be troubled, and rejoice for the good.

- Pythagoras

Which, Proceed, Thus, Thou

Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself.

- Pythagoras

Shadow, Cloud, Star, All Things

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.

- Pythagoras

Nothing, Easy, Difficult, Reluctantly

Above all things, reverence yourself.

- Pythagoras

Reverence, Above, Things, All Things

Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life.

- Pythagoras

Journey, Other, Persevere, Companions

The most momentous thing in human life is the art of winning the soul to good or evil.

- Pythagoras

Art, Winning, Most, Momentous

There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres.

- Pythagoras

Music, Strings, Spheres, Geometry

There is a good principle which created order, light, and man, and an evil principle which created chaos, darkness, and woman.

- Pythagoras

Chaos, Principle, Which, Order

The oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought.

- Pythagoras

Thought, Most, Which, Oldest

Beans have a soul.

- Pythagoras

Soul, Beans

Anger begins with folly, and ends with repentance.

- Pythagoras

Anger, Begins, Folly, Repentance

Concern should drive us into action and not into a depression. No man is free who cannot control himself.

- Pythagoras

Control, Himself, Concern, Depression

Do not talk a little on many subjects, but much on a few.

- Pythagoras

Talk, Subjects, Many, Few

Virtue is harmony.

- Pythagoras

Harmony, Virtue

Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will.

- Pythagoras

Rest, Doing, Will, Talk

Choose rather to be strong of soul than strong of body.

- Pythagoras

Strong, Soul, Rather, Be Strong

Reason is immortal, all else mortal.

- Pythagoras

Reason, Immortal, Else, Mortal

As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom.

- Pythagoras

Laws, Necessary, Longer, Fit

Silence is better than unmeaning words.

- Pythagoras

Silence, Better, Than, Words

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.