There are forces in nature called Love and Hate. The force of Love causes elements to be attracted to each other and to be built up into some particular form or person, and the force of Hate causes the decomposition of things.
EmpedoclesRead
At one time through love all things come together into one, at another time through strife s hatred, they are borne each of them apart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love unifies everything, while hatred causes division.
This quote by Empedocles reflects the dual nature of human experience, suggesting that love serves as a force that brings people and things together, creating harmony and unity. Conversely, strife and hatred act as destructive forces that pull individuals apart, highlighting the importance of love in fostering connection and understanding among people.
Themes
LoveHatredUnityStrifeDivision
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the power of love in overcoming conflicts.
More from Empedocles
All quotes βIris from sea brings wind or mighty rain.
EmpedoclesRead
The force that unites the elements to become all things is Love, also called Aphrodite; Love brings together dissimilar elements into a unity, to become a composite thing. Love is the same force that human beings find at work in themselves whenever they feel joy, love and peace. Strife, on the other hand, is the force responsible for the dissolution of the one back into its many, the four elements of which it was composed.
EmpedoclesRead
For before this I was born once a boy, and a maiden, and a plant, and a bird, and a darting fish in the sea.
EmpedoclesRead
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