Fragment 8

This fragment is divided into three phrases. Most commentators agree that Aristotle (the source for this fragment) is merely paraphrasing or quoting from memory.

• The last phrase, καὶ πάντα κατ' ἔριν γίνεσθαι ('all things come about by strife'), is most likely a paraphrase of fragment 80.

• The middle phrase, ἐκ τῶν διαφερόντων καλλίστην ἁρμονίαν ('the finest attunement stems from things bearing in opposite directions'), Marcovich argues, is most likely a paraphrase of fragment 51.

• The first phrase is not attested elsewhere. Robinson noticed the Ionic word ἀντίξουν ('opposes') and argued from this that the first phrase contains Heraclitus' actual words.