Best quotes by Anaximander

Anaximander ( c. 610 – c. 546 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in Miletus, a city of Ionia (in modern-day Turkey). He belonged to the Milesian school and learned the teachings of his master Thales. He succeeded Thales and became the second master of that school where he counted Anaximenes and, arguably, Pythagoras amongst his pupils.

Little of his life and work is known today. According to available historical documents, he is the first philosopher known to have written down his studies, although only one fragment of his work remains. Fragmentary testimonies found in documents after his death provide a portrait of the man.

Anaximander was an early proponent of science and tried to observe and explain different aspects of the universe, with a particular interest in its origins, claiming that nature is ruled by laws, just like human societies, and anything that disturbs the balance of nature does not last long. Like many thinkers of his time, Anaximander's philosophy included contributions to many disciplines. In astronomy, he attempted to describe the mechanics of celestial bodies in relation to the Earth. In physics, his postulation that the indefinite (or apeiron) was the source of all things led Greek philosophy to a new level of conceptual abstraction. His knowledge of geometry allowed him to introduce the gnomon in Greece. He created a map of the world that contributed greatly to the advancement of geography. He was also involved in the politics of Miletus and was sent as a leader to one of its colonies.

Anaximander's philosophical inquiries extended to questions about the origins and nature of the universe. His proposition of the "apeiron," an infinite and boundless substance, challenged prevailing views of his time and set the stage for subsequent philosophical exploration.

Join us as we present a curated collection of Anaximander's quotes, offering a glimpse into the profound musings of a philosopher whose ideas continue to resonate through the corridors of time. Each quote reflects Anaximander's contemplation of the cosmos, the eternal, and the intricate interplay of elements that define the human experience.

Whether you're a philosophy enthusiast, a student of ancient wisdom, or someone seeking timeless reflections on existence, Anaximander's quotes invite you to ponder the enduring questions that have captivated the human intellect for millennia.