# Heraclitus — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Heraclitus in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Heraclitus of Ephesus, cuckoo Heraclitus

**First appearance:** 0081-heraclitus

## Snapshot

The weeping philosopher of Ephesus, who wrote in riddles, despised the mob, and insisted that everything flows and nothing stays.

## Who they are

Heraclitus of Ephesus, nicknamed the cuckoo and the riddler, composed a book so obscure that even Socrates reportedly said it needed a Delian diver to fathom. He held the many in contempt, refused to legislate for his city, and preferred playing knucklebones with children in the temple to mingling with his fellow citizens. His doctrine of universal flux and the unity of opposites makes him the great antagonist of Parmenides and the provocateur whose paradoxes later drew the Stoics to claim him as their own.

## In the story

### [Thales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/thales)

Cited as one who confirms Thales' astronomical predictions.

### [Pittacus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/pittacus)

Cited as providing an alternative version of the story of Pittacus releasing Alcaeus.

### [Bias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/bias)

Praises Bias, saying his reputation is higher than that of others.

### [Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/pythagoras)

Quoted as a natural philosopher who commented on Pythagoras's learning.

### [Heraclitus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/heraclitus)

Main subject of the chapter; his life, sayings, writings, and death are described.

### [Melissus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/melissus)

Melissus conversed with Heraclitus and recommended him to the Ephesians.

### [Zeno, the Eleatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/zeno-the-eleatic)

Zeno is compared to Heraclitus as a despiser of great men.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in connection with the Ephesian royal family and his philosophical stance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/heraclitus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters