Chrysippus Quotes
Chrysippus of Soli was a Greek philosopher and the third head of the Stoic school, often regarded as its second founder. He was an extraordinarily prolific writer, credited in antiquity with more than seven hundred works, almost all of which are now lost. The quotes below are attributed to Chrysippus, organized by topic.
Chrysippus on Justice
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“Justice exists by nature and not by convention.”
Chrysippus on Knowledge
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“If I had followed the multitude, I should not have studied philosophy.”
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“The wise man wants for nothing and yet needs many things; the fool, on the other hand, has need of nothing, for he understands the use of nothing, but is in want of everything.”
Chrysippus on Nature
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“Nothing happens without a cause, but everything in accordance with antecedent causes.”
Chrysippus on Virtue
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“Living virtuously is equivalent to living in accordance with one's experience of the actual course of nature.”
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Attributed to Chrysippus:
“Vice is contrary to nature; virtue agrees with nature.”