"According to the account of Proclus (Book II. c. 4 ), Pythagoras was the first who gave to Geometry the form of a deductive science, by shewing the connexion of the geometrical truths then known, and their dependence on certain first principles. ...The traditionary account, that Pythagoras was the founder of scientific mathematics, is in some degree, supported by the statement of Diogenes Laertius, that he was chiefly occupied with the consideration of the properties of number, weight, and extension, besides music and astronomy. The passage of Cicero (De Nat. Deor. III. 36) may be referred to as evidence that later writers were unable to give any precise account of the mathematical discoveries of Pythagoras. To Pythagoras, however, is attributed the discovery of some of the most important elementary properties contained in the first book of Euclid's Elements. The very important truth contained in Prop. 47, Book I. is also ascribed to Pythagoras. ...Proclus attributes to him the discovery of that right-angled triangle, the three sides of which are respectively 3, 4, and 5 units. To Pythagoras also belongs the discovery, that there are only three kinds of regular polygons which can be placed so as to fill up the space round a point; namely, six equilateral triangles, four squares, and three regular hexagons. Proclus attributes to him the doctrine of incommensurables, and the discovery of the five regular solids, which, if not due to Pythagoras, originated in his school. In Astronomy he is reputed to have held, that the Sun is the centre of the system, and that the planets revolve round it. This has been called, from his name, the Pythagorean System, which was revived by Copernicus, A.D.1541, and proved by Newton."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
MysticsPhilosophers from GreeceMathematicians from GreeceFounders of religionsPresocratic philosophers
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Robert Potts, Euclid's Elements of Geometry (1845) Introduction pp. iii-iv
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pythagoras
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Pythagoras
griechischer Mathematiker und Philosoph
229 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Pythagoras →
Related Quotes
"Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself."
"ἀλλήλοις θ᾽ ὁμιλεῖν, ὡς τοὺς μὲν φίλους ἐχθροὺς μὴ ποιῆσαι, τοὺς δ᾽ ἐχθροὺς φίλους ἐργάσασθαι. ἴδιόν τε μηδὲν ἡγεῖσθαι."
"I was Euphorbus at the siege of Troy."
"ἐν ὀργῇ μήτε τι λέγειν μήτε πράσσειν"
"Attempt nothing above thy strength!"
"Be not hasty to speak; nor slow to hear!"
"Τὴν δ' ἀνθρώπου ψυχὴν διῃρῆσθαι τριχῆ, εἴς τε νοῦν καὶ φρένας καὶ θυμόν. νοῦν μὲν οὖν καὶ θυμὸν εἶναι καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλ…"
"By the air which I breathe, and by the water which I drink, I will not endure to be blamed on account of this discourse."
"Dear youths, I warn you cherish peace divine, And in your hearts lay deep these words of mine."
"Reason is immortal, all else mortal."