Zeno of Citium
334-262 BC | Citium, Cyprus
A Phoenician merchant shipwrecked near Athens, Zeno lost his cargo but found philosophy. He studied under the Cynics and the Academy, then founded his own school at the Stoa Poikile - the "Painted Porch" - giving Stoicism its name. He taught that virtue alone is good, vice alone is evil, and everything else is indifferent. The wise person lives according to nature and reason, accepting fate with equanimity. His philosophy would guide Roman emperors and console prisoners for two thousand years.
Stoic Teachings
Zeno's works are lost; his ideas survive through students"Man conquers the world by conquering himself."
- Attributed to Zeno
"We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we speak."
- Attributed to Zeno
"The goal of life is living in agreement with nature."
- Core Stoic Doctrine
"Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing."
- Attributed to Zeno