The goal of Stoic ethics.
Someone who has achieved knowledge and demonstrates virtue in all actions.
The sage was thought to be as rare as a phoenix, a mythical being that came about once every 500 years.
If there ever was a sage, it was likely Socrates.
Besides achieving knowledge and happiness, the Stoics also thought a sage was necessarily perfect.
When someone achieves knowledge, they no longer have any reason to make further mistakes.
They are not tempted by their vices, or misled by their biases, because they have none.
And so the knowledge of the sage was thought to solidify or crystalize into something unbreakable.
Greek: Sophos
σοφός.
Book: Essential Stoic Concepts
Subtitle: A Stoic glossary
Author: Stoa
Chapter: Sage
Location: Chapter 28, Section 2
Content:
The goal of Stoic ethics.
Someone who has achieved knowledge and demonstrates virtue in all actions.
The sage was thought to be as rare as a phoenix, a mythical being that came about once every 500 years.
If there ever was a sage, it was likely Socrates.
Besides achieving knowledge and happiness, the Stoics also thought a sage was necessarily perfect.
When someone achieves knowledge, they no longer have any reason to make further mistakes.
They are not tempted by their vices, or misled by their biases, because they have none.
And so the knowledge of the sage was thought to solidify or crystalize into something unbreakable.
Greek: Sophos
σοφός.