Diogenes Laërtius · fl. 3rd century CE
Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.33 — Diogenes Laërtius on Zeno
Translation by R. D. Hicks (1925)
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.33
Reported speech · Diogenes Laërtius on Zeno
Again, in the Republic, making an invidious contrast, he declares the good alone to be true citizens or friends or kindred or free men; and accordingly in the view of the Stoics parents and children are enemies, not being wise. Again, it is objected, in the Republic he lays down community of wives, and at line 200 prohibits the building of temples, lawcourts and gymnasia in cities; while as regards a currency he writes that we should not think it need be introduced either for purposes of exchange or for travelling abroad. Further, he bids men and women wear the same dress and keep no part of the body entirely covered.
Cite this passage
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 7.33 (on Zeno), tr. R. D. Hicks (1925)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/lives-of-the-stoics/7.33
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 notesMore objections to Zeno's Republic: that only the wise count as true citizens, friends or kin, that it shared wives, banned temples, courts and gymnasia, rejected money, and had men and women dress alike. A historical critique of his utopian politics, not practical guidance.
Older wording
- “invidious”
- — unfairly critical or likely to cause resentment
- “community of wives”
- — wives held in common rather than belonging to one husband
- “gymnasia”
- — public places for exercise and education
Themes and situations
- Community and our duty to others
- Freedom
- Family and love
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