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Ancient Greeks: Empedocles on Love and Hate
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.
~ Empedocles
“Empedocles, (born c. 490 bce—died c. 430 bce), Greek philosopher, statesman, poet, religious teacher, and physiologist. According to legend only, Empedocles was a self-styled god who brought about his own death, as dramatized by the English poet Matthew Arnold in “Empedocles on Etna,” by flinging himself into the volcanic crater atop Mount Etna to convince followers of his divinity. To his contemporaries he did indeed seem more than a mere mortal; Aristotle reputedly hailed him as the inventor of rhetoric, and Galen regarded him as the founder of Italian medicine.” ~ Encyclopaedia Britannica
READ MORE: Empedocles; Greek Philosopher and Scholar | Encyclopaedia Britannica
Human nature has not changed over the millennia. The question is, do we learn from history?
So very elemental: Love creates. Hate destroys. Our lives and our world reflect the force we choose to make dominant.
That’s one of my thoughts. Care to share what you are thinking?
Ancient Greek Wisdom
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Excellent quote.
At civilization’s present crossroad, hate seems to have the upper hand.
Agreed, but I don’t believe it is hate for hate’s sake. People are instinctively driven towards aggressive behavior when faced with excessive competition or when their health and survival are at stake.
Yes. Fear always underlies anger and/or hate. Sometimes anger is good. Hate is usually never good.
Hate is probably always louder. Let’s hope love is stronger.
My own political love is certainly not warm and cozy. It’s fueled by principles and the concepts of justice and balance. Otherwise it would just hurt too much. I think many who stand for the common good are like that.
In the end, the dispassionate may win over the frenzied. I think we can endure longer. But the acting out of some who are propelled by fear and hate, can be quick and dangerous… so there is that.