Heraclitus was a contemporary of Plato and Pythagoras. He was famous in human cosmology and metaphysics. According to Shakespeare, ” He doth bestrode the narrow earth like a colossus and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about”.
Heraclitus lamented that his country men were gullible, unlearned and stupid. That lamentation earned him the nickname ” The weeping Philosopher”.
Heraclitus had strong dislike for foolish and stupid people. His standard was too high for mankind. As learned as Pythagoras in his days, Heraclitus even attacked him and described him as fraud and lacked understanding though learned. Most of us should be familiar with Pythagoras as he was the Philosopher who propounded the popular “Pythagoras theorem” in Mathematics and Physics.
Before his death, Heraclitus misanthropy (Dislike for mankind) reached such a pitch of intensity that he left society altogether to wonder in the mountains where he lived a secluded life, sustaining himself on grass and herbs. He regretted living together with mankind.
Ifeanyi Calistus.