Top 21 Quotes & Sayings by Chrysippus

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Greek philosopher Chrysippus.

Last updated on November 8, 2024.

Chrysippus of Soli was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was a native of Soli, Cilicia, but moved to Athens as a young man, where he became a pupil of Cleanthes in the Stoic school. When Cleanthes died, around 230 BC, Chrysippus became the third head of the school. A prolific writer, Chrysippus expanded the fundamental doctrines of Zeno of Citium, the founder of the school, which earned him the title of Second Founder of Stoicism.

Greek - Philosopher | 279 BC - 206 BC

Source: Wikipedia

When through the power of sight we see white, that which comes about in the soul through the act of seeing is a modification. And on the basis of this modification, we are able to say that the white which is affecting us exists.

Chrysippus

Death is the separation of soul from body.

Chrysippus

Although it is true that by fate all things are forced and linked by a necessary and dominant reason, nevertheless the character of our minds is subject to fate in a manner corresponding to their nature and quality.

Chrysippus

There is a certain head, and that head you have not. Now this being so, there is a head which you have not; therefore, you are without a head.

Chrysippus

Vice cannot be removed completely, nor is it right that it should be removed.

Chrysippus

Vice, by comparison with terrible accidents, has its own peculiar explanation. For, in a way, it does occur in accordance with the rationale of nature, and its occurrence is not, so to speak, useless in relation to the whole world. For otherwise, the good would not exist, either.

Chrysippus

Of causes, some are complete and primary, others auxiliary and proximate. Hence, when we say that all things come about through fate by antecedent causes, we do not mean this to be understood as 'by complete and primary causes,' but 'by auxiliary and proximate causes.'

Chrysippus

If something were brought about without an antecedent cause, it would be untrue that all things come about through fate. But if it is plausible that all events have an antecedent cause, what ground can be offered for not conceding that all things come about through fate?

Chrysippus

If our minds were originally formed by nature in a sound and useful manner, then they pass on all the forces of fate, which imposes on us from outside in a relatively unobjectionable and more acceptable way.

Chrysippus

I myself think that the wise man meddles little or not at all in affairs and does his own things.

Chrysippus

Fate is a sempiternal and unchangeable series and chain of things, rolling and unraveling itself through eternal sequences of cause and effect, of which it is composed and compounded.

Chrysippus

The anchovy which is found in the sea at Athens, men despise on account of its abundance and say that it is a poor man's fish; but in other cities, they prize it above everything, even where it is far inferior to the Attic anchovy.

Chrysippus

If I had followed the multitude, I should not have studied philosophy.

Chrysippus

The soul is joined to and is separated from the body. Therefore, the soul is corporeal.

Chrysippus

Every animal is related to its own constitution and the consciousness of it.

Chrysippus

The universe itself is God and the universal outpouring of its soul.

Chrysippus

Thought is the fountain of speech.

Chrysippus

Wise people are in want of nothing, and yet need many things. On the other hand, nothing is needed by fools, for they do not understand how to use anything, but are in want of everything.

Chrysippus

He who is running a race ought to endeavor and strive to the utmost of his ability to come off victor; but it is utterly wrong for him to trip up his competitor, or to push him aside. So in life it is not unfair for one to seek for himself what may accrue to his benefit; but it is not right to take it from another.

Chrysippus