21 definitions
Brevity (n.) was never enough for Zeno: told his arguments were abrupt, he agreed and said that if he could he would shorten the syllables too.
The City (n.) should not exist at all, said Zeno's Republic: all humans ought to be fellow citizens of one cosmos, like a herd pasturing together under a common law.
Criticism (n.) is one of life's certainties — most men will point out your faults whether asked or not — so turn them all into your teachers.
Death (n.) once called the old Zeno when he tripped and fell; he struck the ground and said, 'I come of my own accord — why then do you call me?'
Dreams (n.) change as philosophy takes hold: the one who is progressing stops taking pleasure in disgraceful things even in his sleep.
External goods (n.) such as health, wealth and friends are natural to prefer, the Stoics allowed, but they never carry the kind of value that can make a life good.
Fate (n.) makes a poor excuse: when Zeno's slave, caught stealing, protested that he was fated to steal, Zeno answered — yes, and to be whipped, too.
Incoherence (n.) is unhappiness: those who live by no single rule are miserable.
Misfortune (n.) can be the start of the best trip of your life: Zeno said his most profitable journey began the day he was shipwrecked and lost his whole fortune.
Nature (n.) is an artificial fire, proceeding in a regular way to generation — the master of all other arts.