Quotes by Heraclitus

Because it is so unbelievable, the truth often escapes being known.

Nothing endures but change.

War is father of all, and king of all. He renders some gods, others men; he makes some slaves, others free.

One must realize that war is common, and justice strife, and that all things come to be through strife and are (so) ordained.

One thunderbolt strikesroot through everything

Other men are unaware of what they do when they are awake just as they are forgetful of what they do when they are asleep.

Character is destiny

The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.

Many who have learnedfrom Hesiod the countless namesof gods and monstersnever understandthat night and day are one

Always having what we wantmay not be the best good fortuneHealth seems sweetestafter sickness, foodin hunger, goodnessin the wake of evil, and at the endof daylong labor sleep.

Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.

Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.

The kosmos works by harmony of tensions, like lyre and bow. Good and evil are one. On the one hand God sees all as well, fair, and good; on the other hand a human being sees injustice here, justice there. Justice in our minds is strife. We cannot help but see war makes us as we are.

Nature loves to hide.

Everything flows and nothing stays.

Any day stands equal to the rest.

Give me one manfrom among ten thousandif he is the best

Unless you expect the unexpected, you will not find it, for it is hidden and thickly tangled.

The Aeon is a child at play with colored balls.(translation/paraphrase: Terence McKenna)

Aion is a child at play, playing draughts; the kingship is a childs.