The best phrases of Zeno of Citium, the philosopher of the portico

The phrases of Zeno of Citium are related to the basic premises of his school of thought. The first, that there is a natural and rational order of things. The second, that good consists in adapting to said order.

Zeno of Citium was the creator of Stoicism, although some of his successors, such as Seneca or Marcus Aurelius, have been more famous. He is called the philosopher of the portico because he taught his teachings under a famous portico decorated with beautiful paintings. Much of his work has been lost, but several of his phrases from Zeno of Citium are still preserved.

The Stoics defended a life based on reason, prudence and moderation of pleasures. Furthermore, many of his reflections focused on ethics. That is precisely what is seen in the phrases of Zeno de Citium: the interest in instilling a way of living attached to values. These are some of his statements.

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

-Zeno of Citium-

Phrases by Zeno of Citium about strength

Several of Zeno of Citium’s phrases exalt thought. They consider it the center and source of everything. One of his statements clearly shows this postulate. He says like this: “The thought must be stronger than matter, and the will more powerful than physical or moral suffering”.

As we see, for the Stoics thought and will are above everything. A strong influence is seen in them metaphysics, which later ended up influencing Christian thought.

The most painful loss

This is one of the phrases of Zeno of Citium that has survived the passage of time and is still cited today in different contexts. He says: “No loss must be more sensitive to us than that of time, since it is irreparable”.

Raising a child in a negative world

Although the Stoics began to philosophize about two centuries before our era, many of their reflections are still valid in the world today. This statement, for example, seems tailored to the present: “When you put faith, hope and love, together you can raise positive children in a negative world”.

At that time, the psychology and pedagogy tools we have today were unknown. However, displaying extraordinary common sense, Zeno of Citium makes this statement, which is completely valid. It is very interesting that it points out the family as the basic nucleus, even above society..

Hear or speak?

This is another of those phrases from Zeno of Citium that is still repeated today in all latitudes. He says like this: “Remember that nature has given us two ears and one mouth to teach us that it is better to hear than to speak”. There are many variants of this statement, but it has surely become universal.

This is a call to be cautious with words. He makes the simile with the fact of having two ears and one mouth, because it is more important to listen than to speak. It is another of those statements that continues to say a lot, even to the youngest. An exaltation of listening and reasoned discourse.

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The true fortune

Thanks to the work of Seneca, one of the vicissitudes that Zeno of Citium went through became known. In his work it is said that the Greek philosopher sent all his belongings on a ship that sank shortly after setting sail. When they told him, he simply said this: “Fortune wants me to have greater freedom to philosophize.”.

The phrase is a masterful example of Stoic philosophy. That school called to accept and understand reality always as something that responds to a rational order. In that sense, everything that happens is the result of that order and it is up to us to understand it and draw lessons from it.

It is said that Zeno of Citium taught his teachings for more than 30 years. Finally, when he felt the time had come, he chose to take his own life. This was very common among philosophers of his time. He was 72 years old when he died. His thoughts continued to permeate philosophers several centuries later.