Diogenes

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy.

Diogenes was a controversial figure. His father minted coins for a living, and when Diogenes took to debasement of currency, he was banished from Sinope. After being exiled, he moved to Athens and criticized many cultural conventions of the city.

Date of birth:
412-BC
Date of death:
323-BC
"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
Topic(s): Men
"I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Patriotism
"The great thieves lead away the little thief."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Great
"The foundation of every state is the education of its youth."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Education
"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
Topic(s): Good
"It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Men
"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
Topic(s): Music
"Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Wisdom
"Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Intelligence
"Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards."
― Diogenes
Topic(s): Good

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