Heraclitus Fragments

Heraclitus, the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, survives and comes down to us only in fragments.

DK B7: If all existing things were turned to smoke, the nostrils would distinguish them.

DK B12: The way up and the way down are one and the same.

DK B20: This cosmos, the same for all, no god nor man made, but it always was and is and shall be: an ever-living fire, kindled in measures and extinguished in measures.

DK B27: The best choose one thing above all: everlasting glory instead of mortal pleasures; but the many fill themselves like cattle.

DK B33: Thunderbolt steers all things.

10.10 (86) Divine things for the most part escape recognition because of unbelief.

10.42 (123) Nature loves to hide.

10.46 (112) Right thinking is the greatest excellence, and wisdom is to speak the truth and act in accordance with nature while paying attention to it.

10.58 (82) The most beautiful of apes is ugly in comparison with the human race.

10.63 (60) The road up and the road down are one and the same.

10.67 (103) The beginning and the end are common on the circumference of a circle.

10.82 (53) War is the father of all and king of all, and some he shows as gods, others as humans; some he makes slaves, others free.

10.84* (66) For fire will advance and judge and convict all things.

10.94 (100) Seasons which bring everything… .

10.106* (136) Souls slain in war are purer than those that perish in diseases.