“Everything Flows” -- Heraclitus the Dark
A History of Philosophy in Quotes
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Everything flows. (Attributed to Heraclitus)
”The ancient philosopher Heraclitus did not only write in riddles – he was one himself. We don’t know when he was born or died, but he probably reached fame around 500 BC, about 80 years after the “first philosopher,” Thales of Miletus. But Heraclitus was not from Miletus – he was from Ephesus, a nearby city, which he hated:
The Ephesians ought to hang themselves, every one who is of age, and leave the city to the boys. They who threw out Hermodorus, the worthiest man of them, saying: “Let no one of us be the worthiest, but if there is one, let him go somewhere else, among others.”
He generally seemed to be a dark character – both in terms of his philosophy being obscure and hard to make sense of, and himself being arrogant and unpleasant as a person. When someone gave Socrates a copy of Heraclitus’ book to read, the wisest of men concluded: “The part I understand is excellent, and I dare say the part I do not understand is too; but it needs a Delian diver to get to the bottom of it”.
Diogenes Laertius tells the story of how, one day, the Persian king invited the famous philosopher to visit and teach him. The ruler wrote:
“King Darius, son of Hystaspes, to Heraclitus the wise man of Ephesus, greeting. You are the author of a treatise On Nature is hard to understand and hard to interpret. In certain parts, if it be interpreted word for word, it seems to contain a power of speculation on the whole universe and all that goes on within it, which depends upon motion most divine; but for the most part judgement is suspended, so that even those who are the most conversant with literature are at a loss to know what is the right interpretation of your work. Accordingly King Darius, son of Hystaspes, wishes to enjoy your instruction and Greek culture. Come then with all speed to see me at my palace. … At my court there is secured for you every privilege and daily conversation of a good and worthy kind, and a life in keeping with your counsels.”
But Heraclitus was not tempted. He replied:
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