How true do you find this expression?

[DishLady]

“No man steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.” (Heraclitus, 5th Century BC)

[OlderAndWiser]

It is true in an absolute logical sense but let's apply it to a situation frequently encountered on G@G. A guy wants to reconcile with an ex after a breakup. Yes, she will not be identical to the woman that she was when they previously dated, and he will not be identical to the that he was when they dated. There are at least slight differences, but it is rare that those differences will actually make a difference in their ability to have the relationship work. Usually, they rediscover the same differences, conflicts, disagreements, etc., and they part ways. It is different only because they come to the second breakup much quicker than the first breakup.

[DishLady]

True… but it’s more that they were changing the whole time (even pre-breakup) and didn’t tend to those changes and circumstances.

[DrPepper12]

Totally true. Take Boston. Everyone should go with the guys/gals. Then go again as a couple. Then go again as a family. You will get three very different experiences of the same place! I really mean it about bean town in the summer. It's a fantastic city and so is Toronto!

[DishLady]

True -- to both. I went as a girl and it was way different later on in life.

[IslaTheWitch]

I find it very true... Even if I returned to the same places or even situations after some time, it was a new experience; I was different, the place was different (sometimes it was because I perceived it differently because of internal changes), and people around me changed...

I like this statement... it's very true...

[Caroline91]

Nice sentiment but I think there are a lot of people running around out there with perpetually wet feet because they do not learn from their mistakes!

[DishLady]

“Wet feet”? 😂 I’ve never heard that one. I know “cold feet”… Sure, fair point, but I don’t think the quote is designed for a generation that harps on mistakes made or keeps tally… the point of the quote is forgiveness and letting go bc no matter what everything is always moving and changing (for better or worse).

[SixFootSexy]

The objects discussed are fundamentally the same thing. You as a child and as an adult could metaphysically be considered "different people" but in reality you are the same person. Same concept with the river.

It's a trite saying, like "Change is inevitable."

[NathanDavis]

since there's a comma...

that quote should be attributed to Heraclitus... and Heraclitus as well, since both contributed to it

[OtterMan68]

it's true. Time/life does not repeate itself

[DishLady]

Sometimes it seems to... deja vue sort of moments...

[OtterMan68]

but it's not 100% the same

[DishLady]

True. It's an illusion.

[Juxtapose]

Well a river by its very nature is changing but it's title as the same river is going to be the same. So technically it's the same river in title.

[strateguy632]

false we see how primitive ancients were. different water but same river n always me! or you.

[DishLady]

I think it's just figurative -- things keep moving and so do we, so we're therefore never 100% the same. I don't think they meant it super literally. (The Mississippi River is still the Mississippi River, but the water flowing through it on any given afternoon is different from the water that was flowing there even that morning.)

[Anonymous]

Sounds right. There's never any going back. Even if you circle around and do the same thing for a second time.

[ProbablyClueless]

I understand the principle, but find it to be an over simplification.

[BarryLiverstone]

Life is change.. sounds Buddhist

[DishLady]

Ancient Greek... close enough...

[BarryLiverstone]

Ya I didn’t assume the author was Buddhist. Just that it’s similar to the noble truths:

“Life is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving
The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering”

https://www.worldhistory.org/Four_Noble_Truths/

[DishLady]

I get it. Fun fact: The two cultures had some influence on e/o back then. (If you look up Buddha and Aristotle you’ll find some commonalities that might be interesting to you.)

[slatyb]

Very. Similar to "you can't go home again."

[DJB72]

Heraclitus was a smart guy