The vine bears three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of intoxication, the third of disgust.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that the vine or grape plant can produce three very different types of grapes. The first kind brings joy and happiness, the second kind makes people lose control, and the third kind makes people feel sick or disgusted. This shows that even something as simple as a grape can have very different effects on people, from positive to negative.

About Diogenes

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.

More about the author

More quotes from Diogenes

The vine bears three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of intoxication, the third of disgust.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

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.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Blushing is the color of virtue.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

I do not know whether there are gods, but there ought to be.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

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.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

He has the most who is most content with the least.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

A friend is one soul abiding in two bodies.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

It takes a wise man to discover a wise man.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

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.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

I know nothing, except the fact of my ignorance.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Most men are within a finger’s breadth of being mad.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

It was a favorite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Stand a little less between me and the sun.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

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.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

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.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

The sun too penetrates into privies, but is not polluted by them.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

The mob is the mother of tyrants.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

The great thieves lead away the little thief.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking from his hands at the trough.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher

Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.

Diogenes

4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher