Heraclitus

Explore 17 quotes by Heraclitus

One cannot step twice into the same river, for the waters are continually flowing on.

Heraclitus

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Topic

The only constant is change Change Rivers

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B12.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, DK B12.

A man's character is his fate.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Character

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B119.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments, translated by Brooks Haxton. Penguin Classics, 2003.

Donkeys would prefer refuse to gold.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Donkeys Man and animals Preferences

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F17 - DK B9.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009.

It would not be better if things happened to men just as they wish.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Wish fulfillment Adversity

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B110.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, DK B110.

Man, like a light in the night, is kindled and put out.

Heraclitus

More information about this quote

Topic

Ephemeral nature of life The human condition

Author

Heraclitus

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

480 BC 480s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Heraclitus. On the Universe. c. 500 BC, no. 77.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "On the Universe." Hippocrates, translated by W. H. S. Jones. Vol. 4, Harvard University Press, 1931, no. 77.

Everything flows and nothing stays.

Heraclitus

Quoted in Cratylus, by Plato

More information about this quote

Topic

The only constant is change Impermanence Change

Speaker

Heraclitus

Author

Plato

Source

Cratylus

Medium

Philosophical dialogue

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

348 BC 340s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Quoted in Κρατύλος [Cratylus], by Plato. c. 348 BC, sect. 402a.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. Quoted in Craylus, by Plato. Aeterna Press, 2015, sect. 402a.

It is not better for men to get everything they want. Disease makes health pleasant and good, as hunger does being full, and weariness rest.

Heraclitus

More information about this quote

Topic

Wish fulfillment Balance Yin and yang

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Xenophanes. Fragments. 5th century BC, F16 - DK22 B110.

Current Citation

Xenophanes. "Xenophanes of Colophon." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Oxford World Classics, 2009, F16 - DK22 B110.

All men whilst they are awake are in one common world; but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.

Heraclitus

Quoted in Moralia, by Plutarch

More information about this quote

Topic

Dreams Sleep

Speaker

Heraclitus

Author

Plutarch

Source

On Superstition Moralia

Medium

Essay

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

2nd century BC

Authentication Score 0

Citation

Plutarch. "Περὶ δεισιδαιμονίας [On Superstition]." Moralia [Ἠθικά]. c. 100 AD.

War is father of all and king of all. Some he reveals as gods, other as men; some he makes slaves, other free.

Heraclitus

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Topic

War Fate

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F23 - DK B53.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, F23 - DK B53.

The opposite is beneficial; from things that differ comes the fairest attunement; all things are borne through strife.

Heraclitus

More information about this quote

Topic

Opposites Yin and yang

Author

Heraclitus

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

480 BC 480s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Heraclitus. On the Universe. c. 500 BC, no. 46.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "On the Universe." Hippocrates, translated by W. H. S. Jones. Vol. 4, Harvard University Press, 1931, no. 46.

A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Interconnectedness of all things

Speaker

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

475 BC 470s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B54.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments, translated by Brooks Haxton. Penguin Classics, 2003.

Much learning does not teach understanding.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Education vs. wisdom Education Wisdom

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

6th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B40.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments, translated by Brooks Haxton. Penguin Classics, 2003.

It is better to hide ignorance, but it is hard to do this when we relax over wine.

Heraclitus

More information about this quote

Topic

In vino veritas Wine Effects of alcohol Alcohol

Author

Heraclitus

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

480 BC 480s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Heraclitus. On the Universe. c. 500 BC, no. 108.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "On the Universe." Hippocrates, translated by W. H. S. Jones. Vol. 4, Harvard University Press, 1931, no. 108.

The best choose one thing instead of everything, everlasting fame among mortals; but the masses stuff themselves like cattle.

Heraclitus

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Topic

The masses Gluttony Fame Legacy

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F50 - DK B29.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, F50 - DK B29.

The people must fight in defense of the law as they would for their city wall.

Heraclitus

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Topic

Rule of law Law

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F53 - DK B44.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, F53 - DK B44.

Everyone has the potential for self-knowledge and sound thinking.

Heraclitus

More information about this quote

Topic

Self-knowledge Human potential Personal growth

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Xenophanes. Fragments. 5th century BC, F31 - DK22 B116.

Current Citation

Xenophanes. "Xenophanes of Colophon." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Oxford World Classics, 2009, F31 - DK22 B116.

Unlike divine nature, human nature lacks sound judgments.

Heraclitus

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Topic

God and man Nature of God Human nature Judgment

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, F2 - DK B78.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009, F2 - DK B78.