Cleanthes Quotes
Cleanthes of Assos was a Greek Stoic philosopher who succeeded Zeno of Citium as head of the Stoa around 262 BC. Originally a boxer who arrived in Athens with little money, he supported himself by drawing water at night while studying philosophy by day. The quotes below are attributed to Cleanthes, organized by topic.
Cleanthes on God
-
Attributed to Cleanthes:
“Lead me, O Zeus, and thou Destiny, wherever your decrees have assigned me. I follow willingly; if I would not, I would still follow.”
-
Attributed to Cleanthes:
“Nothing is done on earth without thee, O God.”
-
Attributed to Cleanthes:
“Out of opposites thou hast wrought one harmony, and from things good and evil thou hast made the eternal reason of the universe.”
Cleanthes on Happiness
-
Attributed to Cleanthes:
“The man who is just and good is happy, even on the rack.”
Cleanthes on Mind
-
Attributed to Cleanthes:
“Of all our possessions, the soul is the most precious; therefore, we should treat it with the greatest care.”