They Called Cleanthes “the Donkey”—Then He Led the Stoic School for 30 Years

Cleanthes arrived in Athens in the third century BC with little money and a determination to study under Zeno, the founder of Stoicism. He worked at night carrying water and tending a garden, then attended Zeno’s lectures during the day. Other students mocked him as “the donkey.” He accepted the name, saying he was the one able to carry Zeno’s load. When authorities questioned how he supported himself, Cleanthes brought forward the people who hired him for manual work. They were impressed and offered him money, but Zeno advised him to refuse it. After Zeno died, Cleanthes led the Stoic school for about 30 years. His teachings helped shape the ideas later developed by Chrysippus and passed down to Stoic thinkers such as Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. I take a narrower lesson from his story than simply “ignore your critics.” Cleanthes kept carrying the load until the name meant strength, not limitation. So, house: what did people call you that you later turned into something you’re known for?

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