In This Article
About Diogenes
100 Top Quotes by Diogenes in English
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
- “The easiest way to be cheated is to believe yourself to be more cunning than others.”
- “The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest.”
- “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”
- “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- “The greatest wealth is to live content with little.”
- “We have many laws to punish crime, but we have no law to govern the criminally insane.”
- “Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
- “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.”
- “The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.”
- “The dog has one master, the cat has many.”
- “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
- “Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.”
- “I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece, but of the world.”
- “There is only a finger’s difference between a wise man and a fool.”
- “Poverty is the mother of crime.”
- “The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- “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.”
- “The art of being a slave is to rule one’s master.”
- “It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours.”
- “I am searching for a human.”
- “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.”
- “One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings.”
- “What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.”
- “Wealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool.”
- “It is better to live on a beggar’s crust of bread and be free than to live in palaces and be a slave.”
- “He has the most who is content with the least.”
- “Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
- “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
- “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
- “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.”
- “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.”
- “Poverty is the teacher of wisdom.”
- “I am a citizen of the world.”
- “The sun is new each day.”
- “It is not that I am brave, it is only that I am not afraid of death.”
- “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- “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.”
- “I am searching for a human.”
- “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.”
- “One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings.”
- “What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.”
- “Wealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool.”
- “It is better to live on a beggar’s crust of bread and be free than to live in palaces and be a slave.”
- “He has the most who is content with the least.”
- “Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
- “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
- “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
- “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.”
- “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.”
- “Poverty is the teacher of wisdom.”
- “I am a citizen of the world.”
- “The sun is new each day.”
- “It is not that I am brave, it is only that I am not afraid of death.”
- “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- “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.”
- “I am searching for a human.”
- “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.”
- “One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings.”
- “What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.”
- “Wealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool.”
- “It is better to live on a beggar’s crust of bread and be free than to live in palaces and be a slave.”
- “He has the most who is content with the least.”
- “Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
- “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
- “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
- “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.”
- “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.”
- “Poverty is the teacher of wisdom.”
- “I am a citizen of the world.”
- “The sun is new each day.”
- “It is not that I am brave, it is only that I am not afraid of death.”
- “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- “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.”
- “I am searching for a human.”
- “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.”
- “One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings.”
- “What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.”
- “Wealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool.”
- “It is better to live on a beggar’s crust of bread and be free than to live in palaces and be a slave.”
- “He has the most who is content with the least.”
- “Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
- “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
- “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
- “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.”
- “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.”
- “Poverty is the teacher of wisdom.”
- “I am a citizen of the world.”
- “The sun is new each day.”
- “It is not that I am brave, it is only that I am not afraid of death.”
- “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
FAQs:
Who was Diogenes?
Diogenes (c. 412 – c. 323 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and one of the founders of the Cynic school of philosophy.
What is the Cynic philosophy?
The Cynic philosophy is a school of thought that emphasizes living a simple life, rejecting material possessions and social conventions, and seeking self-sufficiency.
What is Diogenes famous for?
Diogenes is famous for his unconventional and sometimes bizarre behavior, such as living in a barrel and walking around with a lamp during daylight hours claiming to be looking for an honest man.
What is the story behind Diogenes living in a barrel?
According to legend, Diogenes lived in a barrel because he believed that a person should only have enough possessions to meet their basic needs. He saw himself as a citizen of the world rather than a citizen of any particular city or country.
What is the story behind Diogenes carrying a lamp?
Diogenes carried a lamp during the day, claiming to be looking for an honest man. The story is often interpreted as a critique of the moral values of his time and a challenge to his fellow citizens to live up to higher standards.
What were some of Diogenes’ beliefs?
Diogenes believed in living a simple life, rejecting material possessions, and seeking self-sufficiency. He also believed in the importance of living in accordance with nature and in the power of reason over social conventions and traditions.
What was Diogenes’ relationship with Alexander the Great?
According to legend, Alexander the Great once visited Diogenes and asked if there was anything he could do for him. Diogenes replied, “Stand out of my light.” This is often interpreted as a rejection of Alexander’s offer and a statement of Diogenes’ independence and self-sufficiency.
What is the story behind Diogenes’ death?
According to some accounts, Diogenes died by holding his breath. Other accounts suggest that he died peacefully in his sleep.
How has Diogenes influenced philosophy?
Diogenes’ ideas and philosophy have influenced many philosophers and schools of thought throughout history, including the Stoics, the Epicureans, and the existentialists.
What is Diogenes’ legacy?
Diogenes is remembered as one of the most eccentric and unconventional philosophers in history. He is admired for his rejection of material possessions and his commitment to living a simple life. His philosophy continues to be studied and discussed by scholars and philosophers today.
