The Death of Marcus Aurelius

The Death of Marcus Aurelius

Friday, November 29, 2024

Wisdom from the Early Cynics, Diogenes 32


Good men Diogenes called images of the gods, and love the business of the idle. 

To the question what is wretched in life he replied, "An old man destitute." 

Being asked what creature's bite is the worst, he said, "Of those that are wild, a sycophant's; of those that are tame, a flatterer's." 

Upon seeing two centaurs very badly painted, he asked, "Which of these is Chiron, the worse?" 

Ingratiating speech he compared to honey used to choke you. 

The stomach he called livelihood's Charybdis. 

Hearing a report that Didymon the flute-player had been caught in adultery, his comment was, "His name alone is sufficient to hang him." 

To the question why gold is pale, his reply was, "Because it has so many thieves plotting against it." 

On seeing a woman carried in a litter, he remarked that the cage was not in keeping with the quarry. 

—Diogenes Laërtius, 6.51 



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