--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It ever was, and is, and shall be…" description: "\"It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.\" — Heraclitus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg" --- # It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in… ![“It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.” quote by Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg) > “It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.” [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Existence is a perpetual cycle of ignition and extinguishment, an ever‑living fire. **In simple terms:** Life constantly starts and ends. Key Takeaway Accept life's cycles. Themes change impermanence fire philosophy Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal loss - new beginnings - spiritual practice Key Concepts ancient philosophy metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - How do you find stability? - What rituals honor this cycle? A Different Perspective Constant change can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-kind/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Going out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-out/) [Kindled Measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindled-measures-3184549/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Living Measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-measures-3184547/) [Measures Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measures-going-3184548/) [Measures Kindled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measures-kindled-3184546/) [Shall Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shall-living-807694/) ## Related quotes > [This world... ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living Fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/this-world-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-living-fire-in-measures/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [“ If I Must Go If I must go to heaven's end Climbing the ages like a stair, Be near me and forever bend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-teasdale/if-i-must-go-if-i-must-go-to-heaven-s-end-climbing-the-ages-like-a/) [Sara Teasdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-teasdale/) > [If suddenly you do not exist, If suddenly you are not living, I shall go on living. I do not dare, I do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/if-suddenly-you-do-not-exist-if-suddenly-you-are-not-living-i-shall/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [my feet will want to walk to where you are sleeping but I shall go on living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/my-feet-will-want-to-walk-to-where-you-are-sleeping-but-i-shall-go-on/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [“Through centuries of time, men and women, so very, very many, have lived and died. Some may die in the conflict that lies ahead.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/through-centuries-of-time-men-and-women-so-very-very-many-have-lived/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [This universe, which is the same for all, has not been made by any god or man, but it always has been, is, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/this-universe-which-is-the-same-for-all-has-not-been-made-by-any-god/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Going out to eat is expensive. I was out at one restaurant and they didn't have prices on the menu. Just faces with different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/going-out-to-eat-is-expensive-i-was-out-at-one-restaurant-and-they/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I know that attaching memories to books may be going out of the world, but while it lasts, it's a strong record of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/i-know-that-attaching-memories-to-books-may-be-going-out-of-the-world/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [I love just going out; long drives, the ocean, my kids, new music, new gear, new plug-ins, coffee, and donuts at four in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-feldmann/i-love-just-going-out-long-drives-the-ocean-my-kids-new-music-new/) [John Feldmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-feldmann/) > [Just going out on a foray to assemble a collection of street trophies about this or that running social sore can't be effective -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-rosler/just-going-out-on-a-foray-to-assemble-a-collection-of-street-trophies/) [Martha Rosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-rosler/) > [There was one part of my life where I would go out every night. Ha-ha, if I missed going out to the club, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-electra/there-was-one-part-of-my-life-where-i-would-go-out-every-night-ha-ha/) [Carmen Electra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-electra/) > [When I resigned, I put the U.S. Government on notice that I'm going to stick to policy issues, that I have no intention of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-ritter/when-i-resigned-i-put-the-u-s-government-on-notice-that-i-m-going-to/) [Scott Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-ritter/) > [I don't feel any pressure. I'm not nervous about going out there and pitching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cc-sabathia/i-don-t-feel-any-pressure-i-m-not-nervous-about-going-out-there-and/) [CC Sabathia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cc-sabathia/) > [The clubs, that's easy to cut out, because I know when the season ends I can look forward to going out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/the-clubs-that-s-easy-to-cut-out-because-i-know-when-the-season-ends/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Heraclitus > [Learning many things does not teach understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/learning-many-things-does-not-teach-understanding/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Dogs, also, bark at what they do not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/dogs-also-bark-at-what-they-do-not-know/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [The fairest harmony springs from discord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/the-fairest-harmony-springs-from-discord/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [“One man is worth thousand if he is extraordinary”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/one-man-is-worth-thousand-if-he-is-extraordinary/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Presumption must be quenched even more than a fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/presumption-must-be-quenched-even-more-than-a-fire/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Those unmindful when they hear, for all they make of their intelligence, may be regarded as the walking dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/those-unmindful-when-they-hear-for-all-they-make-of-their/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Everything is in flux.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/everything-is-in-flux/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [The Cosmos was not made by gods but always was and is eternal fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/the-cosmos-was-not-made-by-gods-but-always-was-and-is-eternal-fire/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [ Men who are lovers of wisdom \[i.e., philosophers\] must be inquirers into many things. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/men-who-are-lovers-of-wisdom-i-e-philosophers-must-be-inquirers-into/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [We do not step in the same river twice, for the waters have moved on and we too have changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/we-do-not-step-in-the-same-river-twice-for-the-waters-have-moved-on/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [War is the father of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/war-is-the-father-of-all-things/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [The fairest order in the world is a heap of random sweepings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/the-fairest-order-in-the-world-is-a-heap-of-random-sweepings/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [The seeing have the world in common.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/the-seeing-have-the-world-in-common/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [All men have the capacity of knowing themselves and acting with moderation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/all-men-have-the-capacity-of-knowing-themselves-and-acting-with/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Those who love wisdom must investigate many things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/those-who-love-wisdom-must-investigate-many-things/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) [Explore all 296 Heraclitus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) ## More Be kind quotes > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Volunteer. Find ways to be useful. Be kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-black/volunteer-find-ways-to-be-useful-be-kind/) [Claudia Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-black/) > [Remember to be kind. Remember to be loving. Remember to feel all your feelings and to take care of yourself. But most of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/remember-to-be-kind-remember-to-be-loving-remember-to-feel-all-your/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [(I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-f-we-are-going-to-be-kind-let-it-be-out-of-simple-generosity-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let me be patient, let me be kind, make me unselfish, without being blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/let-me-be-patient-let-me-be-kind-make-me-unselfish-without-being-blind/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [But I believed in starting over. There was finally, I knew, only rupture and hurt and falling short between all persons, but, Shirley, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/but-i-believed-in-starting-over-there-was-finally-i-knew-only-rupture/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [Those type of whites who are always going to jail with Negroes are the ones who tell Negroes to be loving and be kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/those-type-of-whites-who-are-always-going-to-jail-with-negroes-are/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I thought being in the wheelchair might be kind of limiting for me as an actor. It turned out cool in a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-beaver/i-thought-being-in-the-wheelchair-might-be-kind-of-limiting-for-me-as/) [Jim Beaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-beaver/) > [When you have the choice between being right and being kind just choose kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-you-have-the-choice-between-being-right-and-being-kind-just/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [In my case, when I am trying to be "kind" I often default in a sort of toothless loving-all stance that is, actually, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/in-my-case-when-i-am-trying-to-be-kind-i-often-default-in-a-sort-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [What one thing does the world need most today-apart, that is, from the all-inclusive thing we call righteousness? Aren't you inclined to agree that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/what-one-thing-does-the-world-need-most-today-apart-that-is-from-the/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [At least with pets, and for all I know, people too, intelligence and quick-wittedness have nothing to do with a talent for being loved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baxter/at-least-with-pets-and-for-all-i-know-people-too-intelligence-and/) [Charles Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baxter/) > [“A part of a healthy conscience is being able to confront consciencelessness. When you teach your daughter, explicitly or by passive rejection, that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/a-part-of-a-healthy-conscience-is-being-able-to-confront/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [Don't let fear or insecurity stop you from trying new things. Believe in yourself. Do what you love. And most importantly, be kind to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/don-t-let-fear-or-insecurity-stop-you-from-trying-new-things-believe/) [Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/) > [Technology has just been the major progression of the last 15 years - instant communication. That stuff has gone so global. That's what's interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-west/technology-has-just-been-the-major-progression-of-the-last-15-years/) [Ti West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-west/) [Browse all 873 Be kind quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-kind/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Heraclitus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-living-fire-in-measures-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be kind" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-living-fire-in-measures-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/heraclitus-1050_be-kind_it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-liv_2763013.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It ever was, and is, and shall be, ever-living fire, in measures being kindled and in measures going out.” — Heraclitus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Heraclitus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It ever was, and is, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-living-fire-in-measures-being/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/it-ever-was-and-is-and-shall-be-ever-living-fire-in-measures-being/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```