CAP. I.
His Life
CLeanthes was of Assus an Aeolian City (forti∣fied,* 1.1 as Stralo describes it, both by Nature and Art) sonne of Phanias. He was first ac∣cording to Antisthenes a wrastler, and come∣ing to Athens, having no more then four Drachms, he apply'd himself first to Crates, then to Zene, whom he heard constantly, and persevered in his Philosophy and Opinions. He was much commended for his laboriousnesse, in as much as being poor, he went by night to the Gardens to draw water, and in the day time studied Philosophy. Hence he was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The drawer of Water.
Being cited to the Court to give an account how he lived, be∣ing so healthfull and lusty, hee produced the Gardener, under whom he drew water, and a woman for whom he ground meal, to witnesse how he subsisted. The Areopagites wondring hereat, allotted him 10. minae, which Zeno would not suffer him to accept. Antigonus gave him 3000. minae. On a time leading some young men to a spectacle, the wind blew back his Cloak, and discovered that he had no Coat; whereupon the Athenians much applauded him, and, as Demetrius the Magnesian ••aith, bestowed a Coat upon him.
Antigonus,* 1.2 who was his Auditor, asked him why he drew wa∣ter, he answer'd, Do I only draw water? Do I not also dig and water the ground, and all for the sake of Philosophy? For Zeno brought him up to this, and bad him bring him an obolus gained by his labour. Upon a time he brought in his gains before all his Disciples, saying, Cleanthes, If he would, could maintain another Cleanthes; but they who have wherewithall to maintain themselves, would be supply'd by others; yet study philosophy nothing the more diligently. Hence Cleanthes was called a second Hercules. He was very laborious, but dull and slow.