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Library Heraclitus

Traditional attribution

Reply to King Darius (spurious)

Ἡράκλειτος βασιλεῖ Δαρείῳ

Heráclito, de Johannes Moreelse
byHeraclitus

A fictitious exchange of letters: Darius, son of Hystaspes, admits he does not understand the book On Nature and asks Heraclitus to come to his palace; Heraclitus replies that all men live far from truth and justice, that he is content with little and will not go to Persia. Diogenes presents it as an instance of the philosopher's haughty character.

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English

Authorship note

Groundless attribution. Diogenes Laertius (IX 13–14) transcribes a letter from Darius I inviting Heraclitus to his court and the philosopher's refusal; they are the first two of the spurious letters and have no historical value.

Editions and translations

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English

  • The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, libro IX

    Project Gutenberg (trad. de C. D. Yonge, Bohn), 1853

    Translation: C. D. Yonge

    Dominio público.

    View in store · Project Gutenberg (gratuito)

Other works by Heraclitus

Sources

  • Diógenes Laercio. Vidas y opiniones de los filósofos ilustres, libro IX, 1–17 (Heráclito), y II 22, VII 174, s. III d. C. Trad. inglesa de C. D. Yonge, Bohn, Londres, 1853 (Project Gutenberg n.º 57342); trad. inglesa de R. D. Hicks, Loeb Classical Library, 1925 (Wikisource).

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