Heraclitus Biography and Quotes

Famously Known For

Heraclitus was one of the outstanding philosophers of his time. His philosophy revolved around justice, metaphysics and law. His philosophy mainly revolved around cosmology, where he stated that fire was the primary component for an orderly universe. 

Early Life

Heraclitus was born in Ephesus, which is now located in modern-day Turkey. He came from an affluent family but preferred to live alone and advance his philosophical studies. Unlike many philosophers of his time, Heraclitus did not belong to any philosophical school. 

Personal Life

Little is known about the personal life of Heraclitus. The available information is based on what historians and philosophers agree on. He had no wife or children. 

He mostly concentrated on his philosophical works and was a huge critic of philosophers who had come before him, referring to them as being misinformed. 

Career

Heraclitus philosophy revolved around cosmology. He was explicitly interested in fire, where he concluded that fire formed the primary component for any orderly universe. He heavily criticized the works of other philosophers such as Pythagoras, Xenophanes and Homer who existed in the 6th century. 

His wise sayings and philosophical statements painted him as a man who had a dislike for humanity and one that viewed human beings as ignorant beings. His mode of teaching involved presenting examples of objects like stones, trees and then proceed to challenge his listeners or readers to make their conclusion. 

Heraclitus believed that everything that existed in the universe was continually changing or was in a vibration. He as well believed in the unity of opposite things such as male and female. This was evident in a phrase he commonly used “The road up and the road down are the same thing.” The most essential element, according to him, was fire. 

Death

As Heraclitus was ageing, he developed dropsy that took a toll on his body. He passed away in 475 BC.

Quotes by Heraclitus

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