Paul Ricoeur
French philosopher (1913-2005)
Diogenes
4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
Diogenes was a famous Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. He was known for his unorthodox lifestyle, philosophical stunts, and criticisms of society. Despite having no authenticated writings, his life and teachings have been passed down through anecdotes and historical accounts.
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About the Diogenes
Diogenesor Diogenes of Sinope, was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. He was born in Sinope, an Ionian colony on the Black Sea coast of Anatolia, in 412 or 404 BC and died at Corinth in 323 BC.
Diogenes was a controversial figure. He was banished, or he fled, from Sinope over debasement of currency. He was the son of the mintmaster of Sinope, and there is some debate as to whether it was he, his father, or both who had debased the Sinopian currency. After his hasty departure from Sinope he moved to Athens where he proceeded to criticize many conventions of Athens of that day. There are many tales about him following Antisthenes and becoming his “faithful hound”. Diogenes was captured by pirates and sold into slavery, eventually settling in Corinth. There he passed his philosophy of Cynicism to Crates, who taught it to Zeno of Citium, who fashioned it into the school of Stoicism, one of the most enduring schools of Greek philosophy.
No authenticated writings of Diogenes survive, but there are some details of his life from anecdotes (chreia), especially from Diogenes Laertius’ book Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers and some other sources. Diogenes made a virtue of poverty. He begged for a living and often slept in a large ceramic jar, or pithos, in the marketplace. He used his simple lifestyle and behavior to criticize the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt, confused society. He had a reputation for sleeping and eating wherever he chose in a highly non-traditional fashion and took to toughening himself against nature. He declared himself a cosmopolitan and a citizen of the world rather than claiming allegiance to just one place.
He modeled himself on the example of Heracles, believing that virtue was better revealed in action than in theory. He became notorious for his philosophical stunts, such as carrying a lamp during the day, claiming to be looking for a “man” (often rendered in English as “looking for an honest man”, as Diogenes viewed the people around him as dishonest and irrational). He criticized Plato, disputed his interpretation of Socrates, and sabotaged his lectures, sometimes distracting listeners by bringing food and eating during the discussions. Diogenes was also noted for having mocked Alexander the Great, both in public and to his face when he visited Corinth in 336 BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diogenes was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. He was known for his unorthodox lifestyle and unconventional approach to philosophy.
Diogenes was born in Sinope, an Ionian colony on the Black Sea coast of Anatolia, and later moved to Athens and Corinth.
Diogenes was either banished or fled from Sinope over the debasement of currency, which was an act his father or he himself had committed as the mintmaster of Sinope.
There are many tales about Diogenes following Antisthenes and becoming his ,faithful hound, after moving to Athens.
Diogenes was captured by pirates and sold into slavery, eventually settling in Corinth, where he passed his philosophy of Cynicism to Crates.
Diogenes modeled himself on the example of Heracles, and he had a reputation for sleeping and eating wherever he chose in a highly non-traditional fashion, as well as toughening himself against nature.
Diogenes was known for performing philosophical stunts, such as carrying a lamp during the day and claiming to be looking for an ,honest man, to criticize the people around him.
28 Quotes by Diogenes
- 1.
The vine bears three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of intoxication, the third of disgust.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 2.
What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 3.
I am called a dog because I fawn on those who give me anything, I yelp at those who refuse, and I set my teeth in rascals.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 4.
Blushing is the color of virtue.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 5.
I do not know whether there are gods, but there ought to be.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 6.
Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 7.
He has the most who is most content with the least.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 8.
A friend is one soul abiding in two bodies.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 9.
It takes a wise man to discover a wise man.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 10.
When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 11.
We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 12.
I know nothing, except the fact of my ignorance.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 13.
Most men are within a finger’s breadth of being mad.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 14.
It was a favorite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 15.
Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 16.
Stand a little less between me and the sun.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 17.
I have nothing to ask but that you would remove to the other side, that you may not, by intercepting the sunshine, take from me what you cannot give.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 18.
It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 19.
As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 20.
The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 21.
Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 22.
The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 23.
The sun too penetrates into privies, but is not polluted by them.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 24.
I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 25.
The mob is the mother of tyrants.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 26.
The great thieves lead away the little thief.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 27.
I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking from his hands at the trough.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
- 28.
Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.
Diogenes4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher