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February 2
Day 33/365: Zeno on wealth and character
Logan
February 02, 2025
Welcome to The Stoic Ledger, a daily money meditation from one of the Stoic sages.
33/365: Zeno on wealth and character
“A Stoic does not regard wealth as a good, but as something indifferent that can be used well or poorly, depending on the character of the one who possesses it.” – Zeno of Citium
Wealth is neither a blessing nor a curse. It is a neutral resource that tips positive or negative from how it is used.
The virtuous can use wealth to support others, pursue wisdom, or contribute to the common good, while one without character might just allow it to pollute their integrity, fostering greed and arrogance.
The worth of wealth is determined not by quantity, but by the intention of the holder.
If wealth is merely “indifferent,” then its significance exists not in mindless accumulation but in our ability to remain unattached, using it as a tool for virtue rather than a source of identity.
How might we ensure that our pursuit or possession of wealth serves to strengthen our character rather than erode it?
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