# Cleanthes — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Cleanthes in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cleanthes of Assos

**First appearance:** 0068-cleanthes

## Snapshot

The Stoic successor to Zeno who preached that virtue alone suffices, wore a doubled cloak, and carried a stick and wallet like a downright dog.

## Who they are

Cleanthes inherits Zeno's school and turns it toward a rugged, self-sufficient ethic: the wise man needs nothing but the strength of Socrates, marries for children, and builds his fortress in impregnable thoughts. Nicknamed Haplocyon, the downright dog, he lectures at the Cynosarges gymnasium and dresses with a severity that becomes a Stoic signature. His apothegms—on enemies as the first to detect one's errors, on virtue as a weapon no one can take—give the early Stoa its moral spine and its memorable voice.

## In the story

### [Book VII: The Stoic Doctrine of Virtue and Indifferents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-vii)

Stoic who maintains virtue cannot be lost and that the virtuous man exercises his soul in a state of perfection.

### [Zeno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/zeno)

Successor of Zeno in the Stoic school; likened by Zeno to tablets of hard wax that retain what is written.

### [Dionysius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/dionysius)

Mentioned as the successor to Zeno in the Stoic school.

### [Cleanthes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/cleanthes)

The subject of the chapter; a Stoic philosopher from Assos, originally a boxer, who became Zeno's successor. Known for his poverty, industry, and slow but steadfast nature.

### [Sphaerus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/sphaerus)

Sphaerus was a pupil of Cleanthes after Zeno's death.

### [Chrysippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/chrysippus)

Teacher of Chrysippus; Chrysippus often dissented from him but repented, and defended him against sophistical attacks.

## Links

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