Although it is true that by fate all things are forced and linked by a necessary and dominant reason, nevertheless the character of our minds is subject to fate in a manner corresponding to their nature and quality.
ChrysippusRead
If something were brought about without an antecedent cause, it would be untrue that all things come about through fate. But if it is plausible that all events have an antecedent cause, what ground can be offered for not conceding that all things come about through fate?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the relationship between causation and fate, suggesting that if all events have causes, then fate must be acknowledged.
Chrysippus raises an intriguing philosophical question about causation and fate. He argues that if every event originates from a preceding cause, then it follows logically that we must accept the idea of fate as a governing principle. This perspective challenges our understanding of free will and destiny, inviting us to consider how our actions are influenced by prior events and whether we can exist independently of a predetermined framework.
Themes
CausationFatePhilosophyEventsDeterminism
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the nature of free will and determinism.
More from Chrysippus
All quotes →Fate is a sempiternal and unchangeable series and chain of things, rolling and unraveling itself through eternal sequences of cause and effect, of which it is composed and compounded.
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Wise people are in want of nothing, and yet need many things. On the other hand, nothing is needed by fools, for they do not understand how to use anything, but are in want of everything.
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