Zeno of Citium
Founder of Stoicism, which emphasized virtue, reason, and living in harmony with nature.
Most quoted
"The avaricious man is like the barren sandy ground of the desert which sucks in all the rain and dew with greediness, but yields no fruitful herbs or plants for the benefit of others."
— from As reported by Diogenes Laërtius
"That which exercises reason is more excellent than that which does not exercise reason; there is nothing more excellent than the universe, therefore the universe exercises reason."
— from As reported by Diogenes Laërtius
"The end may be defined as life in accordance with nature or, in other words, in accordance with our own human nature as well as that of the universe."
— from As reported by Diogenes Laërtius
All quotes by Zeno of Citium (145)
The universe is perfect, because it is directed by a perfect mind.
The chief good is the rational choice of things according to nature.
The wise man is the master of his own happiness.
The man who is virtuous has a good daemon.
The seed of happiness is found in the rational soul.
Contemporaries of Zeno of Citium
Other Philosophys born within 50 years of Zeno of Citium (-334–-262).