The Death of Marcus Aurelius

The Death of Marcus Aurelius

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Wisdom from the Early Cynics, Diogenes 3


Through watching a mouse running about, says Theophrastus in the Megarian dialogue, not looking for a place to lie down in, not afraid of the dark, not seeking any of the things which are considered to be dainties, Diogenes discovered the means of adapting himself to circumstances. 

He was the first, say some, to fold his cloak because he was obliged to sleep in it as well, and he carried a wallet to hold his victuals, and he used any place for any purpose, for breakfasting, sleeping, or conversing. 

And then he would say, pointing to the portico of Zeus and the Hall of Processions, that the Athenians had provided him with places to live in. 

—Diogenes Laërtius, 6.22



No comments:

Post a Comment