Filosofies vertier #1: Darius en Heraclitus

Plaats van handeling: Efeze

Tijd: 5e eeuw voor Christus

Heraclitus wordt wakker, rekt zich uit, sloft eens heen en terug over de agora met de slaap nog in de ogen. Dan bedenkt hij zich dat hij vandaag nog niet in zijn brievenbus gekeken heeft. En zowaar; niemand minder dan de Keizer van Perzië (en dus ook van Efeze, dat in die jaren van de Perzen was) heeft hem een brief gestuurd. Hoera!

KING DARIUS, THE SON OF HYSTASPES, ADDRESSES HERACLITUS OF EPHESUS, THE WISE MAN, GREETING HIM.

“You have written a book on Natural Philosophy, difficult to understand and difficult to explain. Accordingly, if in some parts it is explained literally, it seems to disclose a very important theory concerning the universal world, and all that is contained in it, as they are placed in a state of most divine motion. But commonly, the mind is kept in suspense, so that those who have studied your work the most, are not able precisely to disentangle the exact meaning of your expressions.

Therefore, king Darius, the son of Hystaspes wishes to enjoy the benefit of hearing you discourse, and of receiving some Grecian instruction. Come, therefore, quickly to my sight, and to my royal palace; for the Greeks in general, do not accord to wise men the distinction which they deserve, and disregard the admirable expositions delivered by them, which are, however, worthy of being seriously listened to and studied; but with me you shall have every kind of distinction and honour, and you shall enjoy every day honourable and worthy conversation, and your pupils’ life shall become virtuous, in accordance with your precepts.”

HERACLITUS, OF EPHESUS, TO KING DARIUS, THE SON OF HYSTASPES, GREETING.

“All the men that exist in the world, are far removed from truth and just dealings; but they are full of evil foolishness, which leads them to insatiable covetousness and vain-glorious ambition. I, however, forgetting all their worthlessness, and shunning satiety, and who wish to avoid all envy on the part of my countrymen, and all appearance of arrogance, will never come to Persia, since I am quite contented with a little, and live as best suits my own inclination.”

Achtergrond: Darius is natuurlijk Darius de Grote, heerser van het perzische wereldrijk van die jaren. Heraclitus kennen we als de Duistere, inspiratiebron van Hegel, Nietzsche, en wie niet al. Zijn panta rhei wordt nog wel eens aangehaald.