Play is important in life, but I wonder if this one of those things that needs to be done in moderation, or in a particular way? I mean, sometimes it leads you to discover the secrets of the universe - other times it leads to you dying covered in cow dung.
Common misconception - just play and keep playing until you get bored and then find/create a better game, rinse and repeat ad infinitum until you can no longer do or conceive of anything else besides play and then you win forever.
While the words in my "extended translation" may read like a poem, it's closer to the work of a scribe. I translated the riddle into hundreds of languages and then back to English. Extra details emerge.
For example, one language sees a king, another a queen, yet another kept asking who was playing the piano — from three different cultural vantages, three varying meanings of the same phrase.
does Heraclitus biopic exist? would love to see one, personally choosing Yorgos Lanthimos to direct.
Play is important in life, but I wonder if this one of those things that needs to be done in moderation, or in a particular way? I mean, sometimes it leads you to discover the secrets of the universe - other times it leads to you dying covered in cow dung.
Common misconception - just play and keep playing until you get bored and then find/create a better game, rinse and repeat ad infinitum until you can no longer do or conceive of anything else besides play and then you win forever.
;)
I've been working on an extended translation of this riddle. It's hard to capture all the aspects in a single line.
I am one.
I am the same.
I am fine.
I am a fool.
If you play—know this: you're with playing notes and stones.
αἰ—oh my.
Does the aeon play eternally?
As long as you play, you are playing.
As long as you play, I play.
As long as you play, you are a player who will win.
As long as all are children, we are playing forever.
To the players who play: the kingdom is a child.
What a player—what a king!
To the one who knows the game: the child is the king.
The kingdom listens clearly.
As a player plays, so plays the cosmos.
As the kingdom plays, so it is ruled.
So who's that playing the piano?
To live and to die—such a passionate realm!
I am a child of this kingdom.
Behold, the queen as its strength.
I am here too.
Suppose the first is the second winner.
Who plays, who passes?
"A child."
To that child belongs the kingdom.
Time is a child at play, moving pebbles.
"And who plays the piano?"
The kingdom as a child.
This is great. I'm curious what you mean by extended translation though?
While the words in my "extended translation" may read like a poem, it's closer to the work of a scribe. I translated the riddle into hundreds of languages and then back to English. Extra details emerge.
For example, one language sees a king, another a queen, yet another kept asking who was playing the piano — from three different cultural vantages, three varying meanings of the same phrase.
Ahhh I see, interesting...