Heraclitus (about 544 BC - 480 BC) was a legendary philosopher who was born into a royal family in the city-state of Ephesus in Ionia. Here, he was supposed to inherit the throne, but instead gave up the throne to his brother. He went to live in seclusion near the temple of the goddess Aldymes, playing with children all day long and thinking about life issues. It is said that the Persian King Darius once wrote a letter inviting him to teach Greek culture in the Persian court. He is the author of the book "On Nature", of which fragments remain.

1. "The origin of all things is fire"

"This ordered universe is the same for all things. It was neither created by gods nor humans. It was, It is and will always be an eternal living fire, burning in a measure and extinguished in a measure. "

"This kosmos, which is the same for all, no one of gods or men has made; but it was ever, is now, and ever shall be an ever-living Fire, with measures kindling and measures going out.〞

First of all, the existence of fire cannot stop for a moment, and the same is true for everything in the universe. .

Secondly, although fire is changing, it always maintains a balance. It produces as much energy as it consumes matter.

Third, fire is the source and destination of all things, and life lies in change. The soul is fire, and those who stay dry are the wisest and kindest.

Fourth, there is an eternal fire in the universe. Contradiction and conflict are the basis for the change and development of all things.

2. “Everything has logos, but it likes to hide”

Logos is words and laws.

First, logos is the unity of opposites;

Second, logos is the law hidden behind the unity of opposites.

Third, opposite things need each other, are inseparable, and can transform into each other.

Fourth, seemingly opposite things are actually unified, and changes in one direction will inevitably lead to changes in the opposite direction.

3. Other famous quotes

"You cannot step into the same river twice."

"Everything is an exchange of fire and fire is also All things are exchanged, just as goods are exchanged for gold, and gold is exchanged for goods. "Many people cannot understand what they encounter, nor can they understand it through experience, but they think they can do it."

"It is true that people originally could not understand the eternity of this Word (Word), whether before they heard it or already heard it. Because although everything happens according to this Word, when I according to its nature To discern each thing and to point out how it exists, they experience the words and facts I explain as if they were inexperienced. There are others who wake up unaware of what they do. While asleep one forgets what one does."

"The path up and down is one and the same."