It would not be better if things happened to men just as they wish.

ἀνθρώποις γίνεσθαι ὁκόσα θέλουσιν οὐκ ἄμεινον

Heraclitus

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More information about this quote

Topic

Wish fulfillment Adversity

Author

Heraclitus

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Turkey Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B110.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford UP, 2009, DK B110.

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Heraclitus

One cannot step twice into the same river, for the waters are continually flowing on.

Heraclitus

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Topic
The only constant is change Change Rivers

Author

Heraclitus
Medium
Presocratic fragment Fragment
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Paradox
Language
Greek
Time
5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Heraclitus. Fragments. 5th century BC, DK B12.

Current Citation

Heraclitus. "Heraclitus of Ephesus." The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford UP, 2009, DK B12.

Another quote about Adversity

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.

Louisa May Alcott

Little Women

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More information about this quote
Topic
Adversity
Speaker
Amy Curtis March

Author

Louisa May Alcott
Source
Little Women
Medium
Novel
Genre
Coming of age story
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1868 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Roberts Brothers, 1868, ch. 44.

Current Citation

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Edited by Elaine Showalter and Siobhán Kilfeather and Vinca Showalter. Penguin Classics, 1989, pt. 2.

Another quote from the 5th century BC

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

Psalm 8:4

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More information about this quote
Topic
God and man
Source
Psalms The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Statement Type
Question
Language
Hebrew
Time
-450 -450s 5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Psalm 8:4).

Another quote from Classical antiquity

It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe that there are.

Ovid

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More information about this quote
Topic
Existence of God God

Author

Ovid
Source
Ars Amatoria
Medium
Poem
Language
Latin
Time
2 0s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Ovid. Ars Amatoria. 2, bk. 1, l. 637.

Current Citation

Ovid. "Ars Amatoria." Ovid: The Art of Love and Other Poems. Harvard UP, 1929, bk. 1, l. 637.

Another quote originally in Greek

Know thyself.

Thales

Quoted in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, by Diogenes Laërtius

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More information about this quote
Topic
Introspection Self-knowledge Self-awareness Wisdom
Speaker
Thales

Author

Diogenes Laërtius
Source
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Medium
Presocratic fragment Fragment
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Advice
Language
Greek
Time
3rd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Thales. Quoted in "Thales," The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius. 3rd century BC, bk. 1, ch. 1.