40 Best Pythagoras Quotes On Maths, Philosophy And Religion

Srija Chanda
Dec 12, 2023 By Srija Chanda
Originally Published on Mar 29, 2021
Edited by Isobel Murphy
sculptural representation of Pythagoras Greek philosopher and mathematician
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Read time: 5.9 Min

There can be no one who has gone through formal education without having learned all about the Pythagoras theorem.

Born in 570 B.C, Pythagoras of Samos was an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher. Known as a famous mathematician and scientist, Pythagoras's religious and political teachings have also been said to influence the philosophies of famous Greek Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.

One of his most notable achievements was to create the 'Pythagorean brotherhood' which influenced the likes of Plato and Aristotle and contributed hugely to the development of mathematics. Pythagoras although attributed to the Pythagoras theorem (although contrary to common belief, he was probably not its inventor, his students or followers were).

He also developed a theory about music using numbers, which shows just how profound and personal his use of numbers was. While today it's difficult to separate his achievements from those of his students, his legacy is undoutable.

A lot is known by the average person about his mathematical works but his philosophical ideas are less well known, even though he had some influence on other Greek philosophers of great notoriety. For example, Pythagoras defined the doctrines of 'metempsychosis'.

This talked about the idea and belief that the soul is immortal and that after death a soul is transferred to a new body.

Another notable contribution of Pythagoras' was mysticism. He believed that planetary bodies had a harmony of spheres and thus moved in accordance with mathematical equations. Such was the power of the idea that it was proven centuries later by Isaac Newton.

Pythagoras wasn't all about number crunching though, he also had an interest in the metaphysical too. He had plenty of ideas about the properties of numbers beyond their mathematical value.

For example, he held the belief that odd numbers were masculine while even numbers were feminine. While it may sound slightly odd at first, many people's intuitions point to this same conclusion.

To find out more about Pythagoras' mind, why not read this list of the best quotes from Pythagoras to experience his wisdom rooted in the world of numbers?

If you like these Pythagoras quotes, you can also check out these ancient quotes and Archimedes quotes to learn more.

Pythagoras Philosophy Quotes

Pythagoras was a famous Greek philosopher. These Pythagoras quotes on philosophy prove his love for the discipline.

Statue of Pythagoras on Samos Island, Greece

1."It is only necessary to make war with five things; with the maladies of the body, the ignorances of the mind, with the passions of the body, with the seditions of the city and the discords of families."

-Pythagoras.

2."Time is the soul of this world."

-Pythagoras.

3. "No man is free who cannot control himself."

-Pythagoras.

4. "Reason is immortal, all else mortal."

-Pythagoras.

5. "Be a good son, just brother, spouse tender and good father."

-Pythagoras.

6. “Thy foolish passions: learn thou to subdue them.”

-Pythagoras.

7. “Anger begins in folly, and ends in repentance.”

-Pythagoras.

8. "A good Soul hath neither too great joy, nor too great sorrow: for it rejoiceth in goodness; and it sorroweth in wickedness. By the means whereof, when it beholdeth all things, and seeth the good and bad so mingled together, it can neither rejoice greatly; nor be grieved with over much sorrow."

-Pythagoras.

9. "In the midst of such wealth as earth, the best of mothers, provides, yet nothing satisfies you, but to behave like the Cyclopes, inflicting sorry wounds with cruel teeth! You cannot appease the hungry cravings of your wicked, gluttonous stomachs except by destroying some other life."

-Pythagoras.

10."Even as Truth, does Error have its lovers."

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

12. "Do not go to bed until you have gone over the day three times in your mind. What wrong did I do? What good did I accomplish? What did I forget to do?"

-Pythagoras.

13. "It is difficult to walk at one and the same time many paths of life."

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

15."A fool is known by his speech; and a wise man by silence."

-Pythagoras.

16.“Choose rather to be strong of soul than strong of body.”

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

18.“Above all things, respect yourself.”

-Pythagoras.

19.“Wisdom thoroughly learned will never be forgotten.”

-Pythagoras.

20."Don't try to cover your mistakes with false words. Rather, correct your mistakes with examination."

-Pythagoras.

21."Sobriety is the strength of the soul, for it preserves its reason unclouded by passion."

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

23."Silence is better than unmeaning words."

-Pythagoras.

24."Concern should drive us into action and not into depression."

-Pythagoras.

Famous Quotes By Pythagoras

These famous Pythagoras quotes give us a deeper insight into his genius brain.

25.“Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.”

-Pythagoras.

26.“Let no one persuade you by word or deed to do or say whatever is not best for you.”

-Pythagoras.

27.“The oldest, shortest words— 'yes' and 'no'— are those which require the most thought.”

-Pythagoras.

28.“We ought so to behave to one another as to avoid making enemies of our friends, and at the same time to make friends of our enemies.”

- Pythagoras.

29.“Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be; custom will soon render it easy and agreeable.”

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

31."Most men and women, by birth or nature, lack the means to advance in wealth and power, but all have the ability to advance in knowledge."

-Pythagoras.

32.“Learn silence. With the quiet serenity of a meditative mind, listen, absorb, transcribe, and transform.”

-Pythagoras.

33."Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be; custom will soon render it easy and agreeable."

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

Top Quotes On Mathematics By Pythagoras

Pythagoras is known worldwide due to his contribution to the field of mathematics. These Pythagoras quotes about math prove his love and dedication towards the subject.

35."Number is the ruler of forms and ideas, and the cause of gods and demons."

-Pythagoras.

36."Number was the substance of all things."

-Pythagoras.

37."Geometry is knowledge of the eternally existent."

-Pythagoras.

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

-Pythagoras.

39.“Salt is born of the purest parents: the sun and the sea.”

-Pythagoras.

40. “The experience of life in a finite, limited body is specifically for the purpose of discovering and manifesting supernatural existence.”

-Pythagoras.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Pythagoras quotes then why not take a look at these Greek quotes or Thucydides quotes too?

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Written by Srija Chanda

Master of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

Srija Chanda picture

Srija ChandaMaster of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

An aspiring media professional, Srija is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Mass Communication at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, after completing her degree in journalism. With experience in PR and social media, she has also honed her leadership skills through her participation in a youth parliament. Srija's interests include devouring books, watching movies, and exploring new places through travel.

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