Heraclitus Quotes

A collection of quotes by Heraclitus.

Heraclitus of Ephesus was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived around the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Although not much is known about his early life and background, he is considered one of the most influential thinkers of his time. Heraclitus was known for his profound ideas on the nature of the universe, change, and the underlying principles that govern the cosmos.

He is famous for his doctrine of universal flux, often summarized as "everything flows." Heraclitus believed that the world was in a constant state of change and that the only constant was change itself. He argued that fire was the fundamental substance of the universe, a symbol which represented both physical and metaphysical transformations.

Heraclitus expressed his philosophy through cryptic and enigmatic writings, often in the form of short aphorisms. His work, collectively known as "On Nature" or "On the Universe," has been preserved in fragments that have been handed down through the centuries.

Although his ideas were not widely understood or embraced during his lifetime, Heraclitus' philosophy influenced many later thinkers, including Plato and Friedrich Nietzsche. His emphasis on the dynamic nature of reality and the importance of change has had a lasting impact on philosophy, science, and the understanding of the world.