The Teachings of Diogenes

(c. 412- c. 323 B.C )

Diogenes was a very playful philosopher who liked to use great wit when challenging the values and beliefs of his fellow citizens in ancient Athens. He lived in great poverty, probably begging and stealing his food, and steadfastly disdained all forms of luxury. It was because of his determination to follow his own dictates and not adhere to the conventions of society that he was given the epithet "dog," from which the name "cynic" is derived. Here are some of his wittiest and most profound teaching




Diogenes was asked why he always begged. "To teach people," replied Diogenes. "Oh yes, and what do you teach?" people would ask him scornfully. "Generosity", he replied.


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Someone once asked, "Tell me Diogenes, what does a wise man look like?" At once, Diogenes straightened himself up and stroked his beard.

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Diogenes was knee deep in a stream washing vegetables. Coming up to him, Plato said, "My good Diogenes, if you knew how to pay court to kings, you wouldn't have to wash vegetables."

"And," replied Diogenes, "If you knew how to wash vegetables, you wouldn't have to pay court to kings."


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Often when he was begging, Diogenes would be spat on by the people who passed him. Diogenes would ignore this and simply wipe his face with his sleeve. When ridiculed for his passive behaviour, Diogenes said, "Since men endure being wetted by the sea in order to net a mere herring, should I not endure being sprinkled to net my dinner?"


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Diogenes was asked, "What is the difference between life and death?

"No difference."

"Well then, why do you remain in this life?"

"Because there is no difference."


[http://members.optushome.com.au/davidquinn000/Diogenes Folder/Diogenes.html ]

 

Diogenes was asked why he always begged. "To teach people," replied Diogenes. "Oh yes, and what do you teach?" people would ask him scornfully. "Generosity", he replied.

nice way of getting food....
and there goes the evolution in modern days saying 'why do you steal? to teach people...and what do you teach? Sharing'...

 

^ Now we got the teachings of modern philosopher Philostrate.

 

^ That was really good. Makes sense and makes no sense at the same time.

 

Guess it depends on which point of view you using to interpret the actions.

 

haha that put a smile on my face, good old sarcasm to me

 

lol when i read it the image of House M.D. appears in my mind's eye

 

and this makes diogenes a higher level beggar...imagine there was a bunch of beggars...all of which held a bowl each and all except diogenes went to scrape the rich person's knee and begged for food where diogenes simply stood there, one hand holding the bowl on his head and the other pointing at the rich guy, saying aloud 'i'm here to teach you, the ignorant, about generosity!' -rotfl

 

^ It's a new angle that beggars can take up.

 

Hmm, this is interesting, because it shows how philosophy doesn't have to be deep. To me He would have been a really lawyer... He comes up with the best excuses.