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Most commonly known for his tenure as the head of the Stoic School in Athens following Zeno of Citium, Cleanthes originally came from very humble beginnings. Originating from Assos, Lysimachia, Cleanthes was a pugilist who was forced to settle in Athens due to his destitute situation. Working as a water-carrier, Cleanthes embodied the essence of stoicism – he willingly accepted his circumstances with grace and industriousness.
Soon he found himself enamored by Stoic philosophy, drawn to the instruction of Zeno. As epitomized in one of his most notable quotes, Cleanthes resounded, “While we are postponing, life speeds by.” This alludes to the characteristic Stoic sentiment of ‘**carpe diem**’, directly translating to ‘seize the day’. It was this exact principle that guided Cleanthes throughout his journey, urging him to never cease learning despite his chores as a water-carrier.
Tracing his early life, a fervent thirst for knowledge remained a distinctive attribute of Cleanthes, even whilst he continued his demanding labor as a water carrier. This passionate pursuit led him to stumble upon Stoic philosophy by virtue of a philosophical argument, thereby stirring his transition to Stoicism. He was fascinated by the teachings and lessons imparted, their profundity, and the open dialogic forums for discussion. An enigma in Athenian society, Cleanthes defied the conventional image of a philosopher. Rather than the often-portrayed image of affluence, Cleanthes was a testament to the power of wisdom triumphing over socio-economic barriers.
Cleanthes’ commitment to the study was said to be so profound that he was often found studying even under dim lamp lights, post his daily chores. This led to the Athenians mocking him with the name ‘Phainomenos’ meaning ‘visible’, concocted from his constant presence under the lamp light. The most extraordinary part was Cleanthes’ acceptance of this mockery with a sense of humor, rendering his Stoic temperament apparent, in his ability to remain impassive and indifferent to all externals. As per his teaching, Cleanthes reminded all that, “First, say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to do.” It was this perseverance and dedication that marked Cleanthes among the foremost Stoics, maturing his philosophy from mere reasoning to applying it in practical everyday life.
Embarking on the journey of Stoicism, Cleanthes experienced a radical shift, extending from his mundane life as a water-carrier to the philosophical labyrinth of Stoicism under Zeno’s guidance. Captivated by the power of a chanced-upon argument, Cleanthes began to tread the path of Stoicism, living a life that resonated with its principles and teachings, adequately mirroring its transformative power. His endurance and dedication to absorbing philosophy were indeed praiseworthy, considering the constraints he was swirling in – epitomizing the Stoics’ counsel to focus only on things within one’s control, dismissing all externals as indifferent.
As Cleanthes asserted, “Fate, which has ordained that there should be no easy path to virtue, determines the course of wisdom.” This profound acceptance of fate, understanding, and willingness for self-improvement ingrained in him a resonating appreciation for Stoicism. It was not just the philosophy but its living embodiment – resulting in an inspiring journey from a water-carrier to a revered stoic philosopher.
He eventually went on to succeed Zeno, as the second headmaster of the Stoic School in Athens. Leaving behind a memorable legacy, Cleanthes’ journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, for it is the principles he lived by that persevered. His stoic philosophy, undying pursuit of knowledge and ascetic lifestyle continues to inspire generations.
As Cleanthes transitioned into a Stoic, his journey took a significant turn. At Zeno’s demise, Cleanthes stepped up to take leadership over the Stoic School in Athens. His humble origins and profound character traits – perseverance, patience, and resilience – shaped his ways of teaching, enabling him to cultivate a circle of disciples who admired not only the profound teachings but also the master himself.
The realities of his past life served as a formidable influence on his philosophy and leadership approach, as he maintained a firm, unwavering stand over the Stoic School. He espoused the importance of challenging the status quo and emphasized living a frugal life, practicing self-control, developing rationality, and understanding the undeniable force of destiny.
These teachings resonated powerfully within the philosophical realm of his students and followers. As quoted by the great Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius, ‘Our life is what our thoughts make it.’ It exemplifies the Stoic endurance, as Cleanthes lived by his teachings, being a model in assimilating philosophical reasoning into everyday life.
Cleanthes refined the discourse of Stoicism, amalgamating doctrines of virtue, cosmology, fate, and free-will. While upholding the Stoic principles of living in harmony with nature, Cleanthes fused cosmological arguments into ethical teachings to make Stoicism as practical and applicable as it could get. With such an insightful and groundbreaking approach, Cleanthes made a persuasive impact in upholding and securing the future of Stoic philosophy.
Notwithstanding his background and education, Cleanthes’s unyielding dedication contributed profound insights to Stoic literature. His differentiated approach to Stoic teachings demonstrated an intellectual depth that resonated within the walls of the Stoic School.
Cleanthes’ intellectual contributions and vigor extended to several regions of Stoic philosophy. Though, unfortunately, most of his writings were lost, few fragments preserved through secondary sources indicate being a distinguished expression of Stoic ideas in poetry format. The most significant one stands to be the ‘Hymn to Zeus’, expounding the Stoic providence as per the divine rational principle governing the universe.
In unison with Marcus Aurelius’s teaching that ‘Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.’ Cleanthes indeed shaped the future of Stoic literature with his intellectual contributions. Dedication, perseverance, and wisdom were his aids, driving him to pen down ideas that continue to resonate with students of Stoicism.
Despite the regrettable loss of his extensive writings that dealt with ethics, physics, and logic, Cleanthes’s fragmentary works that survive till date serve as profound assertions to Stoic thought. They not only give a glimpse into his intellectual might but also stimulate contemporary Stoic practitioners to drill deeper into the Stoic way of life.
Cleanthes’ notion of God and the Universe was intrinsically linked. It was his belief that the Universe was a single, wise, and providential being, presenting his idea of a pantheistic God residing in the features of the Universe.
Cleanthes envisaged a deterministic Universe where everything happens for a reason. He perceived the cosmos to be divine, rational and synonymous with God himself. He expressed the presence of divine providence guiding every action within the Universe. His conceptions blend physics with ethical virtue, encapsulating his understanding of Stoicism in the unity of all cosmic events.
As Marcus Aurelius believed, ‘Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.’, Cleanthes sought to recognize the divine in the natural functioning of the world, viewing them not merely as occurrences but as indications of a divine plan.
He postulated the concept of divine forethought ruling over the Universe. The underlying belief was the Universe functioning with wisdom, falling back on one divine entity. Materializing Stoic principles in these notions, Cleanthes portrayed the Universe as a wise individual striving to achieve perfect virtue. This paints an image of the cosmic entity bound by divine providence, relentlessly promoting notions of universal cause and effect, destiny, and fate.
When we follow the elucidation conveyed by Cleanthes concerning the Stoic Ethics, we discover a deep rooted connection between virtue and the nature of human existence. ‘Living according to nature,’ a principle deeply etched in Stoicism, was advocated ardently by Cleanthes. This meant one is to accept the inevitable course of events guided by the divine cosmic order without resistance, appreciating things as they are, and equating the same acceptance to virtue.
As a staunch believer of the Divine Universe, Cleanthes encouraged his disciples to accept the world as is, labeling this acceptance as ‘good.’ For Cleanthes, anything ‘good’ was virtuous. Hence, the Stoic practice of accepting reality without complaint was seen as the most virtuous act possible. Passionate appetites and desires were seen as illusions to be shunned and replaced by reason, self-control, and clarity of judgment. This perspective was deeply resonant with other Stoic philosophers like Epictetus who said, ‘Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.’
The Stoic doctrine posits ‘Living according to Nature’ as the Supreme end. Cleanthes mused that Nature was the manifestation of the Divine Universal reason. An individual truly becomes virtuous when they align their life and actions with the universal law of nature. In essence, to be virtuous was to live a life guided by rationality and duty, accepting the course of things with unmoved emotions, and placing the betterment of mankind and community above personal interests.
The Stoic philosophy, as expounded by Cleanthes, disdained materialism and set forth the exemplar of a frugal life. He identified one’s character engrained with virtue, rationality, and acceptance of nature’s course as the true riches, underscoring the rejection of materialism as a key to virtuous living.
Cleanthes, known for his embrace of a minimalist lifestyle, believed that living simpler lives unburdened by material possessions were the real riches, championing the importance of spiritual wealth rather than worldly possessions. It reflects the Stoic belief that human happiness was not tied to material wealth or possessions. Instead, Stoicism emphasizes moral virtue as the primary means to attain tranquility and joy, a belief built on Zeno’s dictum: ‘Man conquers the world by conquering himself.’
Cleanthes, through his teachings, placed stoic wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance above any materialistic fervor. He impersonated these teachings, living a life of voluntary simplicity devoid of excess or extravagance even when he rose to prominent status. His teachings serve as a humbling reminder that in the quest for internal peace, material simplicity and the wealth of virtue are invaluable.
Cleanthes’ profound Stoic philosophy provided a unique perspective on Human Behavior and Emotions. With emphasis on rationality and equanimity, Cleanthes encouraged his followers to maintain a serene mind, no matter the external circumstance.
According to Cleanthes, one must retain their equanimity regardless of their external circumstances. Much like Seneca, who aptly stated, ‘A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.’, Cleanthes resonates with the Stoic endurance, advocating the belief that adversity builds the essence of character, pushing individuals closer to Virtue. He felt that the trials and tribulations should be seen as challenges to overcome, rather than obstructions to happiness. Stoically accepting these, without being swayed by them, is the way to peace.
Cleanthes perceived that human emotions – be they negative or positive – should be guided by rationality and wisdom. Only those feelings which foster virtue and help one to ‘live according to nature’ should be permitted. Cleanthes’ approach to understanding and managing emotions through rationality provides a person with the strength and wisdom to face any situation with grace, patience, and resilience. It brings the focus to the art of using intellect over impulse, promoting discernment over reaction.
Cleanthes’ wisdom and the depth of his understanding of Stoicism merit an exploration into some of his most famous quotes. These aphoristic pearls of wisdom held to be true for centuries, continue to inspire and enlighten modern Stoic practitioners and provide an insightful ladder to the depths of Stoic ideology.
Considered one of the most articulate and profound among the early Stoics, Cleanthes’ fragments of wisdom offer an invaluable peek into the essential principles of Stoicism. Epictetus, another Stoic philosopher, famously quoted “Man is not disturbed by things, but by the views he holds about them.” In tandem with Epictetus’ remarks, Cleanthes emphasized the idea that perception governs peace and tranquility. He provided astute insights through his quotes dissecting Stoic principles and conveying the essence of a steadfast soul.
Carrying echoes of Cleanthes’ faith in Zeno’s teachings, Cleanthes has been quoted saying “The Fates guide the person who accepts them and hinder the person who resists them.” This profound insight into the Stoic doctrine of acceptance of fate resonates strongly with the teachings of virtue Cleanthes adopted and taught. Virtue to Cleanthes was about being in acceptance of what is, depicting a harmonious relationship with fate.
Another quote that reveals Cleanthes’ understanding of the Divine Universe and the Stoic Providence is, “Lead me, O Zeus, and thou, O Destiny, To whereever your decrees have assigned me.” Undeniably, such wisdom reinstates his firm belief in the deterministic Universe and the divine plan.
The legacy of Cleanthes is principally illuminated through the subsequent generations of Stoic philosophers who were profoundly impacted by his teachings and stoicism’s propagation. His teachings not only fostered a prestigious status for Stoicism but also gave birth to teachings that would outlast generations.
Cleanthes’ unswerving dedication and persistent differentiation of stoic teachings have influenced generations of Stoics. His intellectual discourse has added depth to the Stoic philosophy, making it rich in its doctrine and inspiring to its followers, profoundly affecting philosophers of following generations. As Seneca manifested the belief, “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.”, Cleanthes displayed a similar standpoint. He represented the Stoic perception of divinity, shedding light on the divine cosmic order and the philosophy of fate.
Stemming from Zeno, Cleanthes preserved and refined the doctrine of Stoicism, making it accessible and appealing to the coming generations of philosophers. His teachings and ideas, though resided in fragments across different writings, have established Stoicism’s bedrock principles. Marcus Aurelius, one of the famous Stoic emperors, once stated, “Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are, and to make new things like them.”. This quote exemplifies Cleanthes’ influence on Stoic philosophy, duly reflected through Aurelius’ commitment.
In paying a conclusive tribute to Cleanthes, it becomes incontestable to acknowledge his extraordinary contributions to Stoic philosophy. As a messenger of the wisdom of Stoic resilience, Cleanthes has left an indelible mark in fashioning the path to wisdom that thousands, even today, long to tread upon.
Cleanthes lived a life that was in complete alignment with Stoic principles. He engraved in his followers the importance of living a virtuous life, the insignificance of material possessions, the power of human rationality and the enduring resilience of a stoic in adversity. His embodiment of the teachings attributes to his noteworthy position in the annals of Stoicism.
His immeasurable contributions to Stoic Philosophy have not only been within the confinements of the Stoic School but have been eternally embedded in the minds immersed in Stoic wisdom. His teachings have paved the way for countless individuals seeking peace and tranquility amidst turmoil. Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, once quoted, “Man conquers the world by conquering himself.” True to Zeno’s words, Cleanthes shaped the scope of Stoic philosophy for future generations, redefining the ways humanity could conquer the tempests of life.
Cleanthes led a life testament to the principles of Stoicism, leaving behind a lineage of teachings and wisdom that still set the foundation for stoic practices. His influence remains, even centuries after his time, continually shaping generations of philosophic minds in their quest for wisdom, virtue, and tranquility. Paying this final tribute to Cleanthes signifies the sealing of his immovable place in the annals of Stoic philosophy.