Zeno of Citium quotes

Zeno of Citium was a Greek philosopher and the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. His teachings emphasized the development of self-control and virtue as a means to achieve true happiness. He left a lasting impact on Western philosophy through his ideas about ethics and rational living. Here are 12 of his quotes:

All the good are friends of one another.

Zeno of Citium

Happiness is a good flow of life.

Zeno of Citium

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.

Zeno of Citium

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.

Zeno of Citium

Love is a God, who cooperates in securing the safety of the city.

Zeno of Citium

A bad feeling is a commotion of the mind repugnant to reason, and against nature.

Zeno of Citium

If melodiously piping flutes sprang from the olive, would you doubt that a knowledge of flute-playing resided in the olive? And what if plane trees bore harps which gave forth rhythmical sounds? Clearly you would think in the same way that the art of music was possessed by plane trees. Why, then, seeing that the universe gives birth to beings that are animate and wise, should it not be considered animate and wise itself?

Zeno of Citium

We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say.

Zeno of Citium

Wellbeing is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.

Zeno of Citium

No one entrusts a secret to a drunken man; but one will entrust a secret to a good man; therefore, the good man will not get drunk.

Zeno of Citium