Chrysippus

Chrysippus (c. 279 – c. 206 BCE) was a Greek philosopher, and head of the Stoic school in Athens, from about 230 BCE.

If I had followed the multitude, I should not have studied philosophy.

Quotes

• Living virtuously is equal to living in accordance with one's experience of the actual course of nature
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, vii. 182.

• Wise people are in want of nothing, and yet need many things. On the other hand, nothing is needed by fools, for they do not understand how to use anything, but are in want of everything.
  • As quoted in Moral Epistles by Seneca, iii. 10.

• He who is running a race ought to endeavor and strive to the utmost of his ability to come off victor; but it is utterly wrong for him to trip up his competitor, or to push him aside. So in life it is not unfair for one to seek for himself what may accrue to his benefit; but it is not right to take it from another.
  • As quoted in De Officiis by Cicero, iii. 10.

• If I had followed the multitude, I should not have studied philosophy.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, vii. 182.

• If I knew that it was fated for me to be sick, I would even wish for it; for the foot also, if it had intelligence, would volunteer to get muddy.
  • As quoted by Epictetus, Discourses, ii. 6. 10.

• The universe itself is God and the universal outpouring of its soul
  • As quoted in De Natura Deorum by Cicero, i. 15.

• We should infer in the case of a beautiful dwelling-place that it was built for its owners and not for mice; we ought, therefore, in the same way to regard the universe as the dwelling-place of the gods.
  • As quoted in De Natura Deorum by Cicero, iii. 10.