Parmenides quotes

Parmenides was an ancient Greek philosopher who is best known for his work on metaphysics and the concept of "being." He believed that reality is unchanging and eternal, and that true knowledge comes from understanding the nature of existence. Parmenides' ideas have had a profound influence on Western philosophy, particularly in the areas of ontology and epistemology. His philosophical writings have been studied and debated for centuries, making him a central figure in the history of philosophy. Learn more about the teachings of Parmenides and their impact on contemporary thought.

It is all one to me where I begin; for I shall come back again there.

- Parmenides

It is the same thing that can be thought and for the sake of which the thought exists.

- Parmenides

Let reason alone decide.

- Parmenides

Give me the power to produce fever and I’ll cure all disease.

- Parmenides

Change is an illusion.

- Parmenides

Wherefore all these things are but the names which mortals have given, believing them to be true.

- Parmenides

When the seed comes from the right testis, sons look like their father, and from the left testicle, like their mother.

- Parmenides

We can speak and think only of what exists. And what exists is uncreated and imperishable for it is whole and unchanging and complete. It was not or nor shall be different since it is now, all at once, one and continuous.

- Parmenides

War is the art of destroying men, politics is the art of deceiving them.

- Parmenides

To be and to have meaning are the same.

- Parmenides

There is one story left, one road: that it is. And on this road there are very many signs that, being, is uncreated and imperishable, whole, unique, unwavering, and complete.

- Parmenides

The universe, for those who knew how to embrace it from a single point of view, would not be, if it were allowed to say it, more than a single fact and a great truth.

- Parmenides

Now that all things have been named light and night, and the names which belong to the power of each have been assigned to these things and to those, everything is full at once of light and dark night, both equal, since neither has ought to do with the other.

- Parmenides

Nothing comes out of nothing.

- Parmenides

Never will this prevail, that the things that are not are — bar your thought from this road of inquiry.

- Parmenides

Music that does not describe something is nothing but noise.

- Parmenides

Mortals have made up their minds to name two forms, one of which they should not name, and that is where they go astray from the truth.

- Parmenides

It is necessary for you to learn all things, both the abiding essence of persuasive truth, and men's opinions in which rests no true belief.

- Parmenides

Gaze steadfastly at things which, though far away, are yet present to the mind.

- Parmenides

For 'to be thought' and 'to be' are the same thing.

- Parmenides

Everything that exists has always existed. Nothing can come from nothing. And something that exists can not be turned into anything either.

- Parmenides

Every thing is of the nature of no thing.

- Parmenides

Do not let habit, born from experience, force you along this road, directing aimless eye and echoing ear and tongue; but judge by reason the much contested proof which I have spoken.

- Parmenides

Being alone is and nothing is altogether not.

- Parmenides

And what need would have driven him to be born sooner or later, starting from nothing?

- Parmenides

A single narrable path remains: what it is. And on this road there are abundant signs.

- Parmenides