# Cleanthes — Dialogues character guide

> Cleanthes in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

Stoic philosopher, successor to Zeno, known for his hymn to Zeus.

## In the story

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

Listed as a Stoic philosopher who lived according to his doctrine without governing a state.

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

Mentioned alongside Zeno and Chrysippus as a Stoic authority advocating public life.

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

Quoted for his view that even if a received item is not a true benefit, the recipient is ungrateful if they would not have returned a benefit.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiv)

Cleanthes argues impetuously that a person can be ungrateful even if what they received was not a true benefit, because they would not have returned a benefit if they had received one.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi)

Uses the example of two slaves searching for Plato to argue that goodwill without action does not create an obligation.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xii)

Cleanthes is quoted to emphasize the difference between benefits and trade.

## Links

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