# Chrysippus — Discourses character guide

> Chrysippus in Discourses by Epictetus.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power

## Who they are

Stoic philosopher, known for his logical works and influence on Stoicism.

## In the story

### [Of Progress or Improvement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/iv-of-progress-or-improvement)

Referenced as the author of books that some mistakenly equate with virtue and progress.

### [Against Those Who Eagerly Seek Preferment at Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/x-against-those-who-eagerly-seek-preferment-at-rome)

Referenced as the Stoic authority from whom one should learn about the administration of the world and the nature of good and bad.

### [That the Logical Art Is Necessary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xvii-that-the-logical-art-is-necessary)

Cited as a Stoic authority whose works interpret nature, but Epictetus emphasizes that Chrysippus is a means, not an end.

### [VI: Of Indifference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/vi-of-indifference)

Quoted for his principle of clinging to what is more adapted to conservation of nature.

### [XVI: That We Do Not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xvi-that-we-do-not-strive-to-use-our-opinions-about-good-and-evil)

Referenced as a philosopher whose works are read but not truly followed.

### [How We Must Adapt Preconceptions to Particular Cases](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xvii-how-we-must-adapt-preconceptions-to-particular-cases)

Referenced as a philosopher whose works on the Pseudomenos some students vainly wish to understand without first mastering practical philosophy.

### [XIX: Against Those Who Embrace Philosophical Opinions Only in Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xix-against-those-who-embrace-philosophical-opinions-only-in-words)

Referenced as one who wrote on the ruling argument and ethical divisions, but Epictetus warns against mere book learning.

### [On the Power of Speaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiii-on-the-power-of-speaking)

Mentioned as a master of syllogisms; Epictetus notes that even such skill does not prevent wretchedness.

### [In What a Man Ought to Be Exercised Who Has Made Proficiency; and That We Neglect the Chief Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/ii-in-what-a-man-ought-to-be-exercised-who-has-made-proficiency-and-that-we-neglect-the-chief-things)

Mentioned as a philosopher whose works people read to appear learned, yet they neglect true proficiency.

### [Against Those Who Readily Come to the Profession of Sophists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxi-against-those-who-readily-come-to-the-profession-of-sophists)

Mentioned as a philosopher whose writings the sophist claims to expound.

### [XXIV: That We Ought Not to Be Moved by a Desire of Those Things Which Are Not in Our Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiv-that-we-ought-not-to-be-moved-by-a-desire-of-those-things-which-are-not-in-our-power)

Referenced in a rhetorical question about philosophy's harm, implying his labors are not useless.

### [To a Person Who Had Been Changed to a Character of Shamelessness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/ix-to-a-person-who-had-been-changed-to-a-character-of-shamelessness)

Mentioned as one of the philosophers whose works the person has replaced with frivolous authors.

## Links

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