Anaximander

[Anaximander] also declares that in the beginning humans were born from other kinds of animals, since other animals quickly manage on their own, and humans alone require lengthy nursing. For this reason, in the beginning, they would not have been preserved if they had been like this. (pseudo-Plutarch, Miscellanies 179.2 = DK 12A10 = Curd 14, p. 13)

The earth is at rest on account of its similarity. For it is no more fitting for what is established at the center an equally related to the extremes to move up rather than down or sideways. And it is impossible for it to make a move simultaneously in opposite directions. Therefore, it is at rest of necessity. (Aristotle, De Caelo 2.13 295b11-16 = DK 12A26 = Curd 10, p.13)

Of those who declare that the first principle (archê) is one, moving, and indefinite (apeiron), Anaximander… said that the indefinite was the first principle and element of things that are… He says that the first principle is neither water nor any other of the things called elements, but some other nature which is indefinite, out of which come to be all the heavens and the worlds in them. (Simplicius, Commentary on Aristotle’s Physics 24.13-21 = DK 12B1 + A 9 = Curd 6, p. 12)

The things that are perish into the things out of which they come to be, according to necessity, for they penalty and retribution to each other for their injustice in accordance with the ordering of time. (Simplicius, Commentary on Aristotle’s Physics 24.13-21 = DK 12B1 + A 9 = Curd 6, p. 12)

Anaximenes

The form of air is the following: when it is most even, it is invisible, but it is revealed by the cold and the hot and the wet, and movement… For when it is dissolved into what is finer, it comes to be fire, and on the other hand air comes to be winds when it becomes condensed. Cloud results from air through felting [i.e. through becoming denser], and water when this happens to a gretaer degree. When condensed still more it becomes earth and when it reaches the absolutely densest stage it becomes stones. (Hippolytus, Refutation 1.7.1-3 = DK 13A7 = Curd 18, p. 15)

Heraclitus

It is… death to water to become earth, but from earth comes water and from water soul. (Clement, Miscellanies 6.17.2 = DK 22B36 = Curd 71, p. 37)

Fire lives the death of earth and air lives the death of fire, water lives the death of air, earth that of water. (Maximus of Tyre 41.4 = DK 22B76a = Curd 73, p. 37)

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