"Opposition brings concord: Out of discord comes the fairest harmony."

Heraclitus was from the city of Ephesus, which is located in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. It is guessed that he was born sometime around 535 B.C. He was referred to by some as “the Obscure,” which also means “the Dark,” for his teachings being difficult on purpose.  Throughout his life, many people were influenced and began thinking differently of the world because of Heraclitus, for example, Plato and Aristotle. He believed that our world is forever changing and a continual process fueled by opposites. He stated that opposites are what makes the world ever changing. He wrote a book called “On Nature” that was broken into three sections, one on our universe, one on politics, and also one on theology. He has written many quotes in which the reader has to dive deep to uncover the hidden meaning of his writing.

One quote written by Heraclitus is, “Opposition brings concord: Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.” What is meant by this quote is that disapproval or resistance can bring forth an agreement; out of the disagreement one can find the fairest of harmony. Heraclitus believed that the world is constantly changing. Resistance usually comes from two people being on opposing sides, and if the world is always changing, then it would be true to say that we are always changing as well.  Our thoughts are changing.  We begin to see things differently as we grow. Through disagreements we are able to essentially come to an agreement between ourselves. When there is a disagreement involved, eventually two people work it out in the fairest way possible. One person may end up giving in or the two come to a mutual agreement. The world is changing all around us. We are not the same in how we think or act; each of us are different and unique, however, together we all balance each other out.

In the life of Heraclitus, he believed that the world is changing constantly around us. Our world is full of opposites, as it should, to be in balance. Heraclitus said that fire can turn into water, and also into earth. He saw that the earth is forming and changing in a constant motion. Heraclitus believed that without conflict and without disagreements, the world would not have balance. Without opposites, such as death, Heraclitus said then there would be no life born. He said if there were not opposites, there would be no woman and man. Heraclitus also said that without opposites and continuous change, there would not be harmony in the world.  No two persons think the same or believe the same things. (The Basics of Philosophy) (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

As I ponder on the subject of opposites and disagreements, it takes me back to when my husband and I first started having children. We come from two completely different backgrounds and parenting styles. My husband was raised that you do what I tell you to do when I tell you to it, no questions asked. Whereas I grew up with parents who today would be classified as being very permissive parents. We struggled to come to an agreement for many years. He would tell me that I was too soft on the kids, I would say he was too hard on them. Throughout the years though, I have changed and my husband, too, has changed. I want my kids to learn respect and that there are consequences for your actions and bad choices. My husband and I through the disagreements about parenting styles, have matured and changed to become the parents we need to be for our kids to succeed in life. We have often said that we have learned over time to agree to disagree on some things.

Just as we grow and mature over time, our thoughts and feelings can also change and mature. We are not all alike, we do not say the same things, walk the same way, we are different, and there is nothing wrong with that. Like that saying goes: “Opposites attract!”

Works Cited

"Heraclitus." The Basics of Philosophy. N.D. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

<http://www.philosophybasics.com/philosophers_heraclitus.html>.

"Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.D. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

<http://www.iep.utm.edu/heraclit/>.