Abstract
The aim of the study is to interpret the Theophrastus’ account of the Anaximander’s principle. The Theophrastus‘ exposition is preserved via Simplicius in his commentary on the Aristotle’s Physics including the verbatim quotation of Anaximander known as the fragment DK 12 B 1.
The fragment itself describes in poetic manner, why none of the so-called elements can be the source, from which „all the heavens“ arose. Anaximander depicts the mutual change of the elements into each other as the paying penalty and retribution for injustice.
That is the reason why he does not explain the coming-to-be as the alteration of the element, but as the separation off of the opposites. Hence, the fragment reflects the law, which governs the Universe involving all the cycles in the nature.