Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.
ThalesRead
We live not, in reality, on the summit of a solid earth but at the bottom of an ocean of air
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our perception of reality is shaped by the layers of atmosphere around us, emphasizing the importance of perspective.
Thales' quote reflects on the idea that our existence is not rooted in a singular, fixed reality but rather influenced by the vast and dynamic environment that surrounds us. By comparing the ground we stand on to the bottom of an ocean of air, he highlights the layers of perception and the fluidity of our understanding of the world. It encourages us to consider how our surroundings and the atmosphere we live in shape our experiences and beliefs.
Themes
RealityPerceptionEnvironmentPerspectiveAtmosphere
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of perspective in understanding scientific phenomena.
More from Thales
All quotes →Necessity is the strongest of things, for it rules everything.
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Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than necessity for all must submit to it.
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Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.
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Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.
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All things are from water and all things are resolved into water.
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