Stoic Sensei #5: Cleanthes – The Silent Strength of the Stoic Crew
The Power of Showing Up (and Actually Doing the Work)
Some people want to go out with a bang. Cleanthes? He was all about the slow burn.
Born around 330 BCE, Cleanthes wasn’t exactly born into privilege. This was no silver-spoon philosopher—he was a boxer first, a philosopher second, and a water-hauler by night to keep the lights on. If Stoicism is a philosophy for the real world, Cleanthes was the proof.
Cleanthes didn’t care about the spotlight. While Zeno laid the groundwork, Cleanthes was the guy who kept showing up and doing the work—hauling buckets by moonlight and holding the Stoic school together by day.
He didn’t preach about virtue like it was some fancy luxury. He lived it.
No fancy launch. No influencer brand. Just showing up and doing the damn thing.
And if you’re going through something messy or trying to rebuild after the ground’s been ripped out from under you? Cleanthes is your Stoic hype man.
Cleanthes wrote a Hymn to Zeus—basically a Stoic gospel set to poetic rhythm. In it, he framed the entire universe as governed by an orderly, wise force (God/Spirit/Universal Consciousness), reminding us that our little worries and personal dramas are just drops in the cosmic ocean. It’s like the ancient version of “Just let go, bro—it’s all part of the plan,” but without the yoga pants and sponsored retreat. His hymn was a gentle but firm nudge to get out of our heads and see the bigger pattern—one that’s too vast to be ruined by our fleeting fears.
The Work Is for Everyone
Here’s where Cleanthes vibes with Musonius Rufus, the Stoic feminist before feminism had a name. Both of them said—loudly and clearly—philosophy isn’t just for the privileged. It’s for anyone willing to show up, ask better questions, and keep their damn integrity.
Musonius said: “Don’t lock women out of this.”
Cleanthes showed: “This is for anyone with the guts to carry the water, chop the wood, and still find time to practice virtue.”
It’s not about titles. It’s not about status. It’s about consistency.
And that’s an idea I’m clinging to now more than ever.
The Takeaway from the Quiet Stoic
Cleanthes wasn’t flashy, but he was solid.
He believed philosophy should be lived, not just talked about.
He believed it belonged to everyone, not just the loudest voice in the room.
And he believed that real strength comes from sticking with it, even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.
So if your life feels like it’s been turned upside down—like mine has lately—maybe Cleanthes is the Stoic sensei you need to hear from.
No drama. No flash. Just the calm, steady reminder that if you’re willing to show up and do the work? You’re already halfway there.
xo,
Jade