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Spartan Surfers

c. 330-230 BC

Cleanthes

Former boxer who hauled water at night to pay for his studies and became the second head of the Stoic school.

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  1. At night he hauled water. By day he trained in philosophy.

    Cleanthes, the second head of the Stoic school, was so poor he drew water in gardens at night to pay for his studies by day, earning the nickname Well-Drawer. Nobody was handing him a scholarship. Work the night shift for your dream if you have to.

    Diogenes Laertius 7.168, our translation from the Greek