St. George Stock (modern guide) · 1850–1922
A Guide to Stoicism 6 ¶6 — St. George Stock (modern guide)
From “Conclusion”
Original English text (1908)
St. George Stock (modern guide), A Guide to Stoicism 6 ¶6
Despite the want of feeling in which the Stoics gloried, it is yet true to say that the humanity of their system constitutes one of its most just claims on our admiration. They were the first fully to recognise the worth of man as man; they heralded the reign of peace for which we are yet waiting; they proclaimed to the world the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man; they were convinced of the solidarity of mankind, and laid down that the interest of one must be subordinated to that of all. The word "philanthrop," though not unheard before their time, was brought into prominence by them as a name for a virtue among the virtues.
Cite this passage
St. George Stock (modern guide), A Guide to Stoicism 6 ¶6 (1908)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/a-guide-to-stoicism/6.6
St. George Stock, Stoicism (1908), text of the Haldeman-Julius reprint “A Guide to Stoicism”. Text: Project Gutenberg #7514. Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDespite their reputation for coldness, the Stoics deserve admiration for their humanity: they recognised the worth of every person, taught the unity of mankind, and held that the interest of one must give way to that of all. Love of humanity was named as a virtue in its own right.
Older wording
- “heralded”
- — announced
- “solidarity”
- — unity based on shared interests
- “philanthrop”
- — love of humanity
Themes and situations
- Community and our duty to others
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Justice and fairness
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