Here are some insightful quotes attributed to Anaxagoras, a pre-Socratic philosopher known for introducing the concept of Nous (Mind or Intellect) as the ordering principle of the cosmos:

Core Philosophical Quotes

1. “Everything is in everything.”

– A reflection of his belief that all things contain a portion of everything else, highlighting a proto-holistic view of nature.

2. “The mind (Nous) is the finest and purest of all things. It has power over all things and knows all things.”

– Illustrates his pioneering idea that Nous is the organizing and initiating force of the universe.

3. “Appearances are a glimpse of the unseen.”

– Suggests that reality goes beyond what is perceptible and that true understanding lies beneath the surface.

4. “Men would live exceedingly quiet if these two words, mine and thine, were taken away.”

– A commentary on property and conflict, hinting at a proto-Stoic or communal ideal.

On Nature and Science

5. “The sun is a hot stone, and the moon is earth.”

– A bold naturalistic claim in his time, challenging mythological explanations of celestial bodies.

6. “The stars are fiery stones, but we do not feel their heat because of the great distance.”

– An early scientific insight anticipating modern astronomy.

Would you like me to expand on any of these or explore how Anaxagoras’ thought connects to Stoic or aesthetic philosophy?