Heraclitus
Known for his doctrine of flux and change, famously stating 'No man ever steps in the same river twice'.
Most quoted
"The universe is fire, that was always, is always, and will be ever-living fire, kindling in measures and being quenched in measures."
— from Fragments, -500
"The best of men choose one thing in exchange for all, always having a mind to this even as a flame has a mind to the wood it burns."
— from Fragments, -500
"The sea is the purest and the impurest water. Fish can drink it, and it is good for them; to men it is undrinkable and destructive."
— from Fragments
All quotes by Heraclitus (134)
The most beautiful cosmos is a heap of rubbish piled up at random.
The soul is a dry splendor.
It is not good for men to get all they wish.
The sun will not overstep his measures; otherwise the Furies, ministers of Justice, will find him out.
The way of life is a crooked one.
All things are exchanged for fire, and fire for all things, as goods for gold and gold for goods.
The best people choose one thing above all else, immortal glory; but the masses stuff themselves like cattle.
The wise man is one who understands the Logos, which governs all things.
The world is a living fire, kindling and extinguishing in measures.
To be healthy, one must be sick; to be good, one must be bad.
Everything flows.
The road up and the road down is one and the same.
Change is the only constant.
You cannot step twice into the same river.
The sun is new every day.
Nature is wont to hide herself.
All things come into being by conflict of opposites.
From out of all the many particulars comes oneness, and out of oneness come all the many particulars.
Those who love wisdom must be inquirers into many things indeed.
The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts.
Contemporaries of Heraclitus
Other Philosophys born within 50 years of Heraclitus (-535–-475).