1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Zeno of Sidon

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6040811911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 28 — Zeno of Sidon

ZENO OF SIDON, Epicurean philosopher of the first century B.C., and contemporary of Cicero. In the De Natura Deorum (i. 34), Cicero states that he was contemptuous of other philosophers and even called Socrates "the Attic Buffoon." Diogenes Laertius and Cicero both speak of him with respect and describe him as an accurate and polished thinker. He held that happiness includes not merely present enjoyment and prosperity, but also a reasonable expectation of their continuance. His views were made the subject of a special treatise by Posidonius.