Stoĭci

, a celebrated sect of philosophers founded by Zeno of Citium. They received the name from the portico ( στυα ), where the philosopher delivered his lectures. They preferred virtue to everything else, and whatever was opposite to it, they looked upon as the greatest of evils. They required, as well as the disciples of Epicurus, an absolute command over the pa ions, and they supported that man alone, in the present state of his existence, could attain perfection and felicity. They encouraged suicide, and believed that the doctrine of future punishments and rewards was unnece ary to excite or intimidate their followers. See: Zeno .