# Chrysippus — Dialogues character guide

> Chrysippus in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

Stoic philosopher, known for his logical and ethical writings.

## In the story

### [On Leisure and Political Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iii)

Chrysippus is mentioned as a Stoic authority whose precepts Seneca follows.

### [The Contemplative Life and Public Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned alongside Zeno as a philosopher who gave laws to the whole human race.

### [On the Necessity of Leisure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/viii)

Cited for the doctrine that a man may live at leisure.

### [I: (Serenus)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/i-serenus)

Mentioned as a Stoic philosopher whose advice Serenus follows, though none of them engaged in public affairs themselves.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvii)

Cited for an anecdote about a man enraged by being called a sea-sheep.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iii)

Criticized for filling his treatise with puerile fables about the Graces instead of focusing on the duties of benefits.

### [The True Nature of Benefits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iv)

Criticized for his overly subtle and mythological approach to defining benefits.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-ii)

Chrysippus is quoted on the attitude of a grateful person, who must watch for opportunities to repay kindness like a runner waiting for the starting barriers.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvii)

Chrysippus's simile of the game of ball is used to illustrate the need for benefits to be suitable for both giver and receiver.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxv)

Chrysippus is quoted comparing the grateful person to a runner waiting for the starting barriers to open.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxii)

Chrysippus is cited for defining a slave as a 'hireling for life,' providing the philosophical basis for the discussion on benefits and gratitude.

### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-vii)

Referenced in the context of grace and gratitude, though not directly quoted in this excerpt.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as an example of a great wise man.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/chrysippus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters