# Zeno — The Theory of Moral Sentiments character guide

> Zeno in The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Zeno the Stoic, Apollonius, Augustus Caesar, Caesar

**First appearance:** 0064-i-of-those-systems-which-make-virtue-consist-in-propriety

## Who they are

Founder of Stoicism, discussed in the context of moral systems.

## Relationships

### [Chrysippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/chrysippus)

_professional_

Chrysippus succeeded Zeno as head of the Stoic school and systematized his teachings.

### [Alexander the Great](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/alexander_the_great)

_social_

Alexander is said to have been influenced by Zeno's Stoic ideas, though they never met.

### [Machiavel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/machiavel)

_rivalry_

Machiavelli's pragmatic politics oppose Zeno's idealistic Stoic virtue.

### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/plato)

_professional_

Zeno's Stoicism was influenced by and reacted against Platonic philosophy.

### [Turenne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/turenne)

_psychological_

Turenne is used as a modern example of Stoic-like composure in military command.

## In the story

### [III: Of the Corruption of Our Moral Sentiments, Which Is Occasioned by This Disposition to Admire the Rich and the Great, and to Despise or Neglect Persons of Poor and Mean Condition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/iii-of-the-corruption-of-our-moral-sentiments-which-is-occasioned-by-this-disposition-to-admire-the-rich-and-the-great-and-to-despise-or-neglect-persons-of-poor-and-mean-condition)

Cited as an example of a great figure haunted by the remembrance of his crimes (Pharsalia) despite his magnanimity and dismissal of guards.

### [V: The Analysis of the Sense of Merit and Demerit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/v-the-analysis-of-the-sense-of-merit-and-demerit)

Referenced as 'a Borgia or a Nero' to exemplify perfidy and cruelty, evoking direct antipathy and indirect sympathy with the resentment of sufferers.

### [Section I: Of the Character of the Individual, So Far as It Affects His Own Happiness; or of Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/section-i-of-the-character-of-the-individual-so-far-as-it-affects-his-own-happiness-or-of-prudence)

Referenced as Caesar Borgia, whose infamous murder of four princes is discussed as an example of great crimes that went unpunished due to imprudence not being evident.

### [I: Of the Order in Which Individuals Are Recommended by Nature to Our Care and Attention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-the-order-in-which-individuals-are-recommended-by-nature-to-our-care-and-attention)

Referenced as a Stoic source for the idea that every man is first recommended to his own care.

### [Of Those Systems Which Make Virtue Consist in Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/ii-of-those-systems-which-make-virtue-consist-in-prudence)

Listed among the philosophers who opposed Epicurus by affirming that virtue is more valuable than all other primary objects of desire.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/zeno
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters