DiotimosReading Desk

Virtue and the good

Living in agreement

ὁμολογουμένως ζῆν; κατὰ φύσιν ζῆν

homologoumenōs zēn; kata phusin zēn

These phrases articulate Stoic accounts of the end.

From the book

Stobaeus, Volume II

John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordLiving in agreement names a sequence of related Stoic formulations of the end, with nature, experience, selection and appropriate action developed differently by the named teachers rather than given as one unchanged slogan.
  • In StobaeusThe report explicitly describes Cleanthes as adding with nature to Zeno’s formula, then records further explanations that make rational consistency and the handling of natural circumstances central to the account.
  • In this editionPreserve the named differences between formulations, and do not make successful acquisition of every preferred circumstance a condition of the end when the account distinguishes rational selection from attaining its objects.
  • A place to readChapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 1 Read Zeno’s formula, its explanation and Cleanthes’ addition in sequence, then continue through the later named formulations rather than treating the first two as competing English translations of identical Greek.
English renderings
live in agreement; live according to nature

Meaning

These phrases articulate Stoic accounts of the end. Agreement is explained through a harmonious rational principle, not merely approval by other people.

Use in the book

Zeno’s formula is living in agreement; Cleanthes adds with nature. Chrysippus explains this through experience of natural events, Diogenes through reasoning well in selection and rejection, and Antipater through sustained selection or doing what lies in one’s power toward preferred things. The exposition later equates natural life with living well and virtuously. These related formulations are not word-for-word identical, and none guarantees attainment of every preferred external circumstance. Their different emphases should remain visible rather than being replaced with one familiar slogan.

The report explains agreement through a single harmonious rational principle and contrasts it with the unhappiness of living in conflict. It then identifies an addition to the wording: Cleanthes makes nature explicit because Zeno’s predicate was taken to be incomplete. This is a reported development in formulation, not merely a translator’s choice between short and long versions. The following teachers further specify experience, selection, rejection and appropriate action. Their shared concern with a coherent life does not remove those distinct emphases or promise control over every external result.

“living according to a single, harmonious rational principle” (Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 1).

Places to read

  1. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 12Zeno and Cleanthes give distinct formulations.
  2. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 22Further formulations emphasize experience and selection.
  3. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 32Antipater stresses selection and effort.
  4. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6e · Passage 32Natural and virtuous life are equated.

Translation in this edition

Retain the formulation and its attribution.

ὁμολογουμένως ζῆν

Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6a · Passage 1; Wachsmuth II, printed pp. 75-76.

Τὸ δὲ τέλος ὁ μὲν Ζήνων οὕτως ἀπέδωκε· ‘τὸ ὁμολογουμένως ζῆν’· τοῦτο δ’ ἐστὶ καθ’ ἕνα λόγον καὶ σύμφωνον ζῆν, ὡς τῶν μαχομένως

κατὰ φύσιν ζῆν

Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 6e · Passage 3; Wachsmuth II, printed p. 78.

Δῆλον οὖν ἐκ τούτων, ὅτι ἰσοδυναμεῖ ‘τὸ κατὰ φύσιν ζῆν’ καὶ ‘τὸ καλῶς ζῆν’ καὶ ‘τὸ εὖ ζῆν’ καὶ πάλιν ‘τὸ καλὸν κἀγαθὸν’

Source note

Wachsmuth, volume II, printed pp. 75–76, 78. Both are directly attested phrases, not imported system labels.