The bow's name is life. Its work is death.

The source

"The bow's name is life. Its work is death." Heraclitus said it in Fragment B48 (Diels-Kranz). Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"τῷ οὖν τόξῳ ὄνομα βίος, ἔργον δὲ θάνατος."

Original Greek, Fragment B48 (Diels-Kranz). Greek: Diels-Kranz fragment text via el.wikisource; Wordplay on biós (bow) and bíos (life).

Who said it

Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BC). Philosopher of Ephesus who taught that everything flows. Only fragments of his book survive.

Questions

Who said "The bow's name is life. Its work is death."?

Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BC). Source: Fragment B48 (Diels-Kranz).

What is the original Greek?

τῷ οὖν τόξῳ ὄνομα βίος, ἔργον δὲ θάνατος. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.