Diogenes Laërtius · fl. 3rd century CE
Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.26 — Diogenes Laërtius on Zeno
Translation by R. D. Hicks (1925)
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.26
Reported speech · Diogenes Laërtius on Zeno
The reason he gave for this was that the man capable of giving a proper hearing to what is said and profiting by it was superior to him who discovers everything himself. For the one had merely a right apprehension, the other in obeying good counsel superadded conduct. When he was asked why he, though so austere, relaxed at a drinking-party, he said, “Lupins too are bitter, but when they are soaked become sweet.” Hecato too in the second book of his Anecdotes says that he indulged freely at such gatherings. And he would say, “Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.” “Well-being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless it is no little thing itself.” [Others attribute this to Socrates.]
Cite this passage
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.26 (on Zeno), tr. R. D. Hicks (1925)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/lives-of-the-stoics/7.26
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 notesSomeone who listens and takes good advice gains understanding and also acts on it, which is better than only working things out alone. Relaxing at a party does not betray an austere life, any more than soaking makes a bitter bean sweet. It is better to trip with your feet than with your tongue, and wellbeing grows bit by bit, yet is no small thing.
Older wording
- “Lupins”
- — bitter beans that become edible after soaking
- “apprehension”
- — understanding or grasp of something
- “superadded”
- — added on top
Themes and situations
- Learning and progress
- Speech and silence
- Self-discipline and habit
- Pride and humility
- Breaking a bad habit
- Procrastination
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