Pythagoras

Pythagorean theorem, mathematics

Ancient influential 148 sayings

Sayings by Pythagoras

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

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Number is the within of all things.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The stars in the heavens sing a music if only we had ears to hear.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Do not go to bed until you have gone over the day three times in your mind. What did I do wrong? What did I do right? What did I leave undone?

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The wind is blowing. Worship the sound.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The square of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Educate the children and it won't be necessary to punish the men.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The beginning is half of the whole.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A blow from your friend is better than a kiss from your enemy.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Do not give sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids until you have balanced the account of your soul with what is right.

500 BC — Attributed in later writings
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Numbers rule the universe.

c. 500 BCE — Attributed in discussions on Pythagorean philosophy
Controversial Confirmed

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

c. 500 BCE — Attributed as a Pythagorean maxim
Controversial Confirmed

The soul is immortal and undergoes transmigration.

c. 500 BCE — Attributed in discussions on Pythagorean beliefs
Controversial Unverifiable

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. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.

c. 570–495 BCE (approximate) — Philosophical teaching, advocating vegetarianism and non-violence towards animals.
Shocking Confirmed

There are men and gods, and beings like Pythagoras.

c. 570–495 BCE (approximate) — A statement attributed to Pythagoras, suggesting a self-perception of being elevated.
Shocking Unverifiable

Above all things, reverence yourself.

c. 570 – c. 495 BC — Though often attributed, direct textual evidence for many Pythagorean quotes is scarce due to the or…
Shocking Confirmed

Do not stir the fire with a sword.

c. 570 – c. 495 BC — One of the 'symbols' or maxims attributed to Pythagoras, often interpreted allegorically.
Shocking Unverifiable