--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we…" description: "\"“The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we are essentially social creatures, with a ‘natural affection’ and ‘affinity’ for all people. This forms the b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/985/donald-j-robertson-32244_love_the-stoics-by-contrast-believed-that-we_692071.jpg" --- # The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we are essentially… ![“The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we are essentially social creatures, with a ‘natural affection’ and ‘affinity’ for all people. This forms the basis of Stoic ‘philanthropy’, the rational love of our brothers and fellow citizens in the universe, or ‘cosmic city’ – the true meaning of…” quote by Donald J. Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/985/donald-j-robertson-32244_love_the-stoics-by-contrast-believed-that-we_692071.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/985/donald-j-robertson-32244_love_the-stoics-by-contrast-believed-that-we_692071.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/985/donald-j-robertson-32244_love_the-stoics-by-contrast-believed-that-we_692071.jpg) > ““The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we are essentially social creatures, with a ‘natural affection’ and ‘affinity’ for all people. This forms the basis of Stoic ‘philanthropy’, the rational love of our brothers and fellow citizens in the universe, or ‘cosmic city’ – the true meaning of ‘cosmopolitanism’.”” [Donald J. Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-j-robertson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stoics view humanity as a single community, urging rational love for all as the foundation of cosmopolitanism. **In simple terms:** We are naturally social, love all rationally. Key Takeaway Cultivate universal rational love. Themes community cosmopolitanism philanthropy human nature ethics Mood thoughtful inspirational serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - global collaboration - volunteering - public policy - education Key Concepts philosophy ethics social theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice rational love in daily life? - What obstacles arise in caring for all humanity? A Different Perspective Human nature can be self‑interested, challenging universal love. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Stoic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stoic/) [Stoicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stoicism/) [Stoics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stoics/) ## Related quotes > [“We all have problems. 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Wanting glorification for their nature as to say they think they're cosmological leaders over nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/stoics-follow-each-other-like-sheep-wanting-glorification-for-their/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [“The Stoics define wisdom to be conducted by reason, and folly nothing else but the being hurried by passion, lest our life should otherwise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desiderius-erasmus-roterodamus/the-stoics-define-wisdom-to-be-conducted-by-reason-and-folly-nothing/) [Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desiderius-erasmus-roterodamus/) > [“Above all, the Stoics sought wisdom, a condition that I myself hope to achieve after I stop wrecking and burning things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-morrow/above-all-the-stoics-sought-wisdom-a-condition-that-i-myself-hope-to/) [James Morrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-morrow/) > [“And here lies the essential between Stoicism and the modern-day 'cult of optimism.' 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