Zeno of Citium Quotes

9 Sourced Quotes

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
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
No evil is honorable; but death is honorable; therefore death is not evil.

Zeno of Citium
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.

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

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

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

Zeno of Citium
The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.
To a youth who was talking nonsense

Zeno of Citium