Diogenes Laërtius · fl. 3rd century CE
Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.171 — Diogenes Laërtius on Cleanthes
Translation by R. D. Hicks (1925)
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.171
Reported speech · Diogenes Laërtius on Cleanthes
Once when he was reproached with cowardice, he replied, “That is why I so seldom go wrong.” Again, when extolling his own manner of life above that of the wealthy, he used to say that, while they were playing at ball, he was at work digging hard and barren ground. He would often find fault with himself too, and one day when Ariston heard him doing this and asked, “Who is it you are scolding so?” he, laughing, said, “An old man with grey hairs and no wits.” To some one who declared that Arcesilaus did not do what he ought, his reply was, “No more of this; do not censure him. For if by his words he does away with duty, he maintains it at all events by his deeds.” And Arcesilaus rejoined, “I am not to be won by flattery.” Whereupon Cleanthes said, “True, but my flattery consists in alleging that your theory is incompatible with your practice.”
Cite this passage
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.171 (on Cleanthes), tr. R. D. Hicks (1925)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/lives-of-the-stoics/7.171
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 notesCalled a coward, Cleanthes answered that caution is why he rarely errs, and he laughingly scolded himself as an old man without wits. When others criticised the sceptic Arcesilaus, he urged others to judge him by his deeds, since his actions upheld the duty his words denied.
Older wording
- “extolling”
- — praising highly
- “censure”
- — criticise harshly
- “incompatible”
- — in conflict with, not able to go together
Themes and situations
- Insult and criticism
- Courage
- Self-discipline and habit
- Learning and progress
- Being criticised or insulted
- Failure and mistakes
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