Xenophanes quotes

Xenophanes was a Greek philosopher, poet, and critic of traditional religion. His work challenged the anthropomorphic depiction of gods and promoted the idea of a singular, eternal divine being. He influenced later philosophical thought through his skepticism and emphasis on rational inquiry. Here are 14 of his quotes:

It takes a wise man to recognize a wise man. (Xenophanes)

There is one god, greatest among gods and men, similar to mortals neither in shape nor in thought.

Xenophanes

No human being will ever know the Truth, for even if they happen to say it by chance, they would not even known they had done so.

Xenophanes

But if cattle and horses and lions had hands or could paint with their hands and create works such as men do, horses like horses and cattle like cattle also would depict the gods' shapes and make their bodies of such a sort as the form they themselves have.

Xenophanes

Ethiopians say that their gods are snubnosed and black Thracians that they are pale and red-haired.

Xenophanes

For all things are from the earth and to the earth all things come in the end.

Xenophanes

But if cattle and horses or lions had hands, or were able to draw with their hands and do the work that men can do, horses would draw the forms of the gods like horses, and cattle like cattle, and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves.

Xenophanes

God is one, greatest of gods and men, not like mortals in body or thought.

Xenophanes

For we are all sprung from earth and water.

Xenophanes

Men create the gods in their own image.

Xenophanes

There is one God - supreme among gods and men - who is like mortals in neither body nor mind. (Xenophanes)

Mortals deem that the gods are begotten as they are, and have clothes like theirs, and voice and form.

Xenophanes

All men begin their learning with Homer.

Xenophanes

It isn't right to judge strength as better than good wisdom.

Xenophanes

Xenophanes

Xenophanes - Image

Occupation: Greek Philosopher
Born: 560 BC
Died: 478 BC
Quotes count: 14
Wikipedia: Xenophanes

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