27 Great Quotes for Leaders from Stoic Philosopher Zeno of Citium
Zeno of Citium was a Greek philosopher who lived in the late third and early second centuries BCE. He was the first stoic philosopher. He founded the stoic school of philosophy in Athens. Most of the written record we have from Zeno of Citium was chronicled by Diogenes Laertius, a biographer of ancient philosophers.
This article contains several quotes by Zeno of Citium. As you review them, consider how they apply to the leadership roles in your life. How can you apply Zeno’s wisdom today?
Here is the list of the best inspirational leadership quotes by Zeno of Citium we’ve curated just for you:
“Man conquers the world by conquering himself.”
“All things are parts of one single system called Nature; the individual life is good when it is in harmony with nature.”
“The purpose of having two ears and only one mouth is to listen the more and talk less.”
“No matter whether you claim a slave by purchase or capture, the title is bad. They who claim to own their fellow-men, look down into the pit and forget the justice that should rule the world.”
“When a dog is tied to a cart, whether they want to follow, it is pulled and follows, making its spontaneous act concede with necessity. But if the dog does not follow, it will be compelled in any case. So, it is with men too: even if they don’t want to, they will be compelled to trial what is destined.”
“A bad feeling is a commotion of the mind repugnant to reason, and against nature.
“That which exercises judgment is more excellent than that which does not exercise reason; there is nothing more excellent than the world; therefore, the universe exercises reason.”
“Fate is the endless chain of connection, whereby things are; the reason or principle by which the world goes on.”
“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.”
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“Steel your sensibilities, so that life shall hurt you as little as possible.”
“A friend is our alter ego.”
“No evil is honorable: but death is honorable; therefore, death is not evil.”
“Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.”
“Well-being is attained by little and little, nevertheless, it is no little thing itself.”
“Happiness is a good flow of life.”
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“If you lay violent hands on me, you will have my body, but my mind will remain with Stilpo.” – Stilpo was Zeno’s teacher.
“Man seems to be deficient in nothing so much as he is in time.”
“The voice is the flower of beauty.”
“Nothing is more hostile to a firm grasp on awareness than self-deception.”
“Love is a god, who cooperates in securing the safety of the city.”
“All the good are friends of one another.”
“It is in virtue that happiness consists, for virtue is the state of mind which tends to make the whole of life harmonious.”
“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”
“No one entrusts a secret to a drunken man, but one will entrust a secret to a good man; therefore, the good man will not get drunk.”
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“If you want a smooth flow of life, live according to nature.”
“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?
“Extravagance is its own destroyer.”
I’ve tried to ensure these quotes are as accurate as possible. As a leader, which quotes were most useful to you? How can you act on this wisdom today?
Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Make it a great day!
