The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Cleanthes explained
This chapter recounts the life and character of Cleanthes of Assos, a devoted pupil of Zeno who succeeded him as head of the Stoic school.
What happens
This chapter recounts the life and character of Cleanthes of Assos, a devoted pupil of Zeno who succeeded him as head of the Stoic school. Despite his poverty and slow intellect, Cleanthes was renowned for his extraordinary industry, working as a water-carrier by night to support his philosophical studies by day. The narrative includes anecdotes of his trial, his witty exchanges with rivals like Arcesilaus and Ariston, his patient endurance of ridicule, and his death by voluntary starvation after a brief illness. It also lists his many writings and emphasizes his unwavering commitment to Stoic principles.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue and Self-Sufficiency
Cleanthes' life exemplifies Stoic self-sufficiency: he supported himself through manual labor, refused gifts, and maintained his philosophical practice despite poverty.
Ethics and Self-Control
Cleanthes' patient endurance of ridicule, his refusal to retaliate against Sositheus, and his voluntary death by starvation demonstrate profound self-control and ethical consistency.
Death and Legacy
The chapter details Cleanthes' death by voluntary starvation after a brief illness, and lists his extensive writings, emphasizing his lasting contribution to Stoic philosophy.
Characters to notice
- Cleanthes
The subject of the chapter; a Stoic philosopher from Assos, originally a boxer, who became Zeno's successor. Known for his poverty, industry, and slow but steadfast nature.
- Zeno of Citium
Cleanthes' master and founder of the Stoic school; he trained Cleanthes and forbade him from accepting a gift from the Areopagus.
- Antigonus of Carystus
A pupil of Cleanthes who presented him with three thousand drachmas and once asked why he drew water.
- Arcesilaus
A rival philosopher; Cleanthes defended him against criticism and engaged in witty exchanges with him.
- Timon of Phlius
Mentioned as the author of a satirical verse mocking Cleanthes as a dull and verbose ram.
- Demetrius of Magnesia
Cited as the source for the anecdote about Cleanthes' cloak being blown off, revealing he wore nothing underneath.
Key passages
“Do I do nothing beyond drawing water? Do I not also dig, and do I not water the land, and do all sorts of things for the sake of philosophy?”
Cleanthes defends his manual labor as an integral part of his philosophical practice, not merely a means of survival.
This response to Antigonus highlights the Stoic ideal of integrating virtue into all actions, even humble ones.
“Cleanthes could maintain even another Cleanthes if he were to choose; but others who have plenty of means to support themselves, seek for necessaries from others; although they only study philosophy in a very lazy manner.”
Cleanthes boasts that his industriousness could support two men, while others with wealth still depend on others and study philosophy half-heartedly.
This saying underscores the theme of self-sufficiency and contrasts Cleanthes' diligence with the laziness of richer philosophers.
“I praise Cleanthes, but praise Pluto more; Who could not bear to see him grown so old, So gave him rest at last among the dead, Who'd drawn such loads of water while alive.”
The author's playful epigram praises Cleanthes but thanks Pluto for ending his long life of hard labor.
This epitaph humorously acknowledges Cleanthes' lifelong toil and his peaceful death.
