Diogenes Laërtius · fl. 3rd century CE
Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.108 — Diogenes Laërtius on the Stoics
Translation by R. D. Hicks (1925)
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.108
Reported speech · Diogenes Laërtius on the Stoics
Zeno was the first to use this term καθῆκον of conduct. Etymologically it is derived from κατά τινας ἥκειν, i.e. reaching as far as, being up to, or incumbent on so and so. And it is an action in itself adapted to nature’s arrangements. For of the acts done at the prompting of impulse some, they observe, are fit and meet, others the reverse, while there is a third class which is neither the one nor the other. Befitting acts are all those which reason prevails with us to do; and this is the case with honouring one’s parents, brothers and country, and intercourse with friends.
Cite this passage
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.108 (on the Stoics), tr. R. D. Hicks (1925)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/lives-of-the-stoics/7.108
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book VII, tr. R. D. Hicks (Loeb, 1925). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesZeno coined the Greek word for duty, meaning what is fitting or incumbent on you. Fitting actions are those reason persuades you to do, such as honouring your parents, siblings and country and keeping up friendships. Some impulsive actions are fitting, some are not, and some are neutral.
Older wording
- “incumbent”
- — your obligation, something that falls to you
- “Befitting acts”
- — actions that are appropriate to your role
- “impulse”
- — a spontaneous urge to act
Themes and situations
- Duty and roles
- Family and love
- Community and our duty to others
- Friendship
- Family conflict
- An ethical dilemma
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