Greek philosopher Heraclitus (500-475 BC) was born in Ephesus, near Ionia, Asia Minor, the birthplace of philosophy. He was a recluse and developed his ideas in isolation.

Born before Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato, Heraclitus laid the foundation for other philosophers.

Heraclitus said, "All things come out of the One and the One out of all things. ... I see nothing but Becoming." This philosophy of "becoming" inspired Friedrich Nietzsche to write, "The total value of the world cannot be evaluated."

Heraclitus also examined the spirit of opposites and balance found in Taoism. Celebrating the concept of flux he said, "Everything flows and nothing stays."

Heraclitus was one of the first to see that with the constantly changing universe comes Logos, the ruling principle of reason and order associated with the element fire. The term Logos evolved in Christian theology to mean "the Word of God."

Called "The Riddler" for his often obscure observations and truth amid ambiguity, Heraclitus said: "Much learning does not teach understanding."

Respect differences.