The phrase "I think, therefore I am" was famously coined by the French philosopher René Descartes. In Latin, it is expressed as "Cogito, ergo sum." This statement encapsulates Descartes’ foundational realization in his philosophical discourse, asserting that the act of thinking is proof of one’s existence. Descartes employed this statement in his writings to establish a basis for knowledge, emphasizing rational thought as the first step in seeking certainty. His work laid the groundwork for modern philosophy and is significant in discussions about consciousness, existence, and identity.