Unless you expect the unexpected you will never find [truth], for it is hard to discover and hard to attain

Unless you expect the unexpected you will never find [truth], for it is hard to discover and hard to attain

Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher known for his doctrine of change and the concept of the unity of opposites, believed that truth is elusive and can only be discovered by those who are open to the unexpected. In his famous quote, “Unless you expect the unexpected you will never find [truth], for it is hard to discover and hard to attain,” Heraclitus emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to challenge one’s preconceived notions in order to uncover the deeper truths of the universe.

Heraclitus believed that the world is in a constant state of flux, with everything in a state of perpetual change. He famously stated that “you cannot step into the same river twice,” highlighting the idea that everything is constantly in motion and nothing remains the same. In this context, Heraclitus believed that truth is not something static or fixed, but rather something that is constantly evolving and shifting.

To discover truth, according to Heraclitus, one must be willing to embrace the unexpected and be open to new ideas and perspectives. This requires a willingness to question one’s assumptions and beliefs, and to be open to the possibility that one’s understanding of the world may be limited or flawed. By expecting the unexpected, one can break free from the constraints of conventional thinking and open oneself up to new possibilities and insights.

Heraclitus also believed that truth is hard to attain because it requires a deep understanding of the underlying unity and interconnectedness of all things. He famously stated that “all things come into being through opposition, and all are in flux like a river.” In this view, truth is not something that can be easily grasped or understood, but rather something that requires a profound insight into the underlying patterns and processes that govern the universe.