Diogenes Laërtius · fl. 3rd century CE
Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.122 — Diogenes Laërtius on the Stoics
Translation by R. D. Hicks (1925)
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.122
Reported speech · Diogenes Laërtius on the Stoics
though indeed there is also a second form of slavery consisting in subordination, and a third which implies possession of the slave as well as his subordination; the correlative of such servitude being lordship; and this too is evil. Moreover, according to them not only are the wise free, they are also kings; kingship being irresponsible rule, which none but the wise can maintain: so Chrysippus in his treatise vindicating Zeno’s use of terminology. For he holds that knowledge of good and evil is a necessary attribute of the ruler, and that no bad man is acquainted with this science. Similarly the wise and good alone are fit to be magistrates, judges, or orators, whereas among the bad there is not one so qualified. Furthermore, the wise are infallible, not being liable to error.
Cite this passage
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.122 (on the Stoics), tr. R. D. Hicks (1925)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/lives-of-the-stoics/7.122
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book VII, tr. R. D. Hicks (Loeb, 1925). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesSlavery is described in three forms, including plain subordination and outright ownership, all treated as bad. Because the wise know good from evil, they alone are free, kingly, fit to hold office or judge, and incapable of error. These are the Stoic paradoxes about the ideal sage.
Older wording
- “irresponsible rule”
- — rule that answers to no one else
- “magistrates”
- — public officials who administer law
- “orators”
- — public speakers
Themes and situations
- Freedom
- Virtue and character
- Leadership and power
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