This famous quote, “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” is attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus. It reflects his belief in the constant flux of life: just as the river’s waters are always flowing and changing, so too is the world and the individuals within it. By the time you step into the river again, both you and the river have changed.

Heraclitus, known as the “Weeping Philosopher,” lived around 535–475 BCE in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey). He emphasized the impermanence of the universe and the idea that change is the fundamental nature of reality. This particular quote encapsulates his perspective on life as an ever-shifting journey, reminding us to embrace the transient nature of existence.