Cratylus Quotes
Cratylus was a Greek philosopher of late fifth and early fourth century BC Athens, an Heraclitean who carried the doctrine of universal flux to its extreme conclusion. According to Aristotle, whereas Heraclitus had said that one cannot step twice into the same river, Cratylus held that one cannot step into it even once, and in his old age he is said to have abandoned speech as a stable medium of meaning, communicating only by silently moving his finger. The quotes below are attributed to Cratylus, organized by topic.
Browse Cratylus by topic
Cratylus on Happiness
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“Life in the past was happy for mortals as compared to now. Men led a life, gentle in mind with sweet-speaking wisdom, most beautiful of mortals.”
Cheirones ("The Chirons")
Cratylus on Knowledge
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“What a swarm of sophists you lot have swirled up!”
Archilochoi ("The Archilochuses") (c. 448 BC) -
“Archilochoi ("The Archilochuses") (c. 448 BC)”
What a swarm of sophists you lot have swirled up! -
“Cheirones ("The Chirons")”
Even to wise mortals Music carries unceasing feelings... -
“Cheirones ("The Chirons")”
Life in the past was happy for mortals as compared to now. Men led a life, gentle in mind with sweet-speaking wisdom, most beautiful of mortals. -
“Dionysalexandros (i.e. Dionysus in the part of Paris)”
Let the person who wins be him who says what is most desirable for the city. -
“...Each one of you is a bribe-taking fox.”
Nomoi ("The Laws") -
“You’ll never fashion anything clever by drinking water!”
Pytine ("The Wineflask") -
“Pytine ("The Wineflask")”
You’ll never fashion anything clever by drinking water!
Cratylus on Nature
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Attributed to Cratylus:
“You cannot step into the same river even once.”
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Attributed to Cratylus:
“All things flow; nothing stays.”
Cratylus on Politics
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“Let the person who wins be him who says what is most desirable for the city.”
Dionysalexandros (i.e. Dionysus in the part of Paris)
Cratylus on Truth
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Attributed to Cratylus:
“Names belong to things by nature, not by mere convention.”
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Attributed to Cratylus:
“Language can never quite catch up with reality.”
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Attributed to Cratylus:
“When asked anything, I will only point.”