Thales, ca. 582 B.C.
He said, “There’s no difference between Death and Life.” “So,” someone said, “Why don’t you just die?” “Because,” he said, “there’s no difference!”
To the question, “What came first, night or day?” “Night,” he said, “by one day.”
Someone asked him if it would be possible to hide evil from the gods. He said, “Not even in your thoughts.”
To the adulterer who wanted to know if he should swear he didn’t commit adultery, he said, “Adultery’s not worse than perjury.”
Being asked, “What’s difficult?” He said, “To know oneself.”“What’s easy?” He said, “To tell someone else what to do.”
“What’s pleasant?” “To get the goal.”
“What’s divine?” “That which has neither beginning nor end.”
“What would surprise you?” “An old tyrant.”
“How might one bear really bad luck?” “To see your enemy doing even worse.”
“What is the best, most righteous way to live?” “Don’t do that which we condemn in others.”
“What’s happiness?” “A sound body, together with a rich soul and a well-taught life.”
He always remembered to tell his friend, whether present or absent, that beauty did not come from one’s appearance but by doing that which is beautiful.
“Don’t do evil to get money,” he said, “and don’t let a single word throw away those with whom you have shared your trust.”
“Whatever you have done for your parents is what you should expect from your children.”
Greek Text and Notes:
