Refutations by Hippolytus Quotes

Context

Heraclitus was pretty into an idea known as the "unity of opposites."

We only have fragments of his work, but from what we have, we know that he thought a lot about the opposites of elements: fire and water, air and earth, peanut butter and jelly. (We're just guessing on that last one.)

But here's the thing: these opposites aren't exactly...in opposition to each other. Instead, like the quote suggests, they work in harmony, and, Heraclitus would say, they're necessary to each other.

Where you've heard it

Maybe when you've spent a few too many hours straining your brain as you try to decode those paradoxical Penrose stairs, this phrase will spontaneously generate in your mind. More likely, though, you'll think of it when you see the yin yang symbol.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

A nebulous, metaphorical quote from a pre-Socratic Ancient Greek philosopher about the unity of opposites? Sure, you'll sound fine: pretension and modesty can exist together in harmony, right?

Uh, nope.