Parmenides
He argued that reality is a single, unchanging, and eternal being, and that change is an illusion.
Most quoted
"The only roads of inquiry that are to be thought of: one, that it is and that it is impossible for it not to be, is the path of Persuasion (for she attends upon Truth); the other, that it is not and that it must not be, that I tell you is a path wholly unlearnable."
— from On Nature
"But since all things have been named light and night, and the names corresponding to their powers have been assigned to these things and to those, everything is full of light and obscure night together, of both equally, since neither has any share of nothing."
— from On Nature
"The only roads of enquiry there are to think of: one is that it is and cannot not be, this is the path of Persuasion (for she attends upon truth), the other, that it is not and needs must not be, this I tell you is a path wholly unknowable."
— from On Nature, -475
All quotes by Parmenides (130)
Nor is it divisible, since it is all alike.
Nor is there more here and less there, but it is all full of what is.
It is all continuous, for what is clings close to what is.
In my letter to the Eleatic school, I reflect on the unity of being as the essence of existence.
The path of truth reveals that change is but an illusion of the senses.
Being does not depart into non-being, for it would have to be something to depart.
It is motionless in the limits of mighty bonds.
Therefore it is right that what is should not have a beginning.
Rightly has it been decided to leave the one path as unthinkable and nameless, for it is not possible that there should be not-being.
Even if one should pursue it, he would be at a loss, and nothing true would be discovered.
In my speech to the assembly, I proclaimed the eternal oneness of reality.
The heart of truth is that being is, and non-being is not.
Mortals name what is, and what is not, mixing them together.
They have wandered astray, deciding that to be and not to be are the same.
For they should not name nor think what is not.
Take the testimony of the senses with caution, for they deceive.
On my deathbed, I whispered that all is one, unchanging.
In jest, I once remarked that philosophers chase shadows while being stands firm.
As a professional in metaphysics, I observe that plurality is a mere opinion.
Life's meaning lies in recognizing the eternal unity beyond appearances.
Contemporaries of Parmenides
Other Philosophys born within 50 years of Parmenides (-515–-450).