Cratylus Quotes on Knowledge
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. This page collects quotes attributed to Cratylus on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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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.”
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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... -
“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") -
“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!