5 disconcerting phrases from Diogenes, the cynic

The phrases of Diogenes, the cynic, tell us about one of the most honest philosophers of all times. That is, someone with a true will to understand reality and reach the truth, without any additional interest other than the love for the truth itself.

Not many phrases of Diogenes, the Cynic, are actually preserved, since he never wrote. We know what has survived to this day thanks to his disciples.. Especially to his namesake, Diogenes Laertius, who undertook the task of compiling several of his teachings.

The main characteristic of this philosopher born in Sinope and famous in Athens, was his enormous detachment. He loved freedom above all and was not afraid to speak the truth to the powerful. It was said that he lived in a barrel and many confused him with a beggar. These are some of the best-known phrases of Diogenes, the Cynic.

1. One of the phrases of Diogenes, the cynic, about insults

One of the phrases of Diogenes, the cynic, says the following: “The insult dishonors who infers it, not to the one who receives it”. It means that often the error is in the mind of the offending person, not in the being or nature of the person who is the object of that offense.

This, despite the fact that Diogenes himself was known for using very harsh phrases to shape his truth. However, his complaint had more to do with double standards and the failures in ethics that with a particular person. He was not seeking to attack the person, but rather to question his moral stance.

2. The sycophants

One of his disciples, Hecaton, left in writing one of the phrases of Diogenes, the Cynic, which, apparently, he uttered most frequently. This says: “The company of crows is preferable to that of flatterers for those devour the dead and these the living”.

If this philosopher hated something, it was flatterers. He became famous for one episode: Alexander the Great sought him out, attracted by his prestige. She appeared in front of him and told him that he could ask for anything. Diogenes asked him to move away, since the sunlight was blocking him..

3. Total detachment

It is said that Diogenes once stopped to observe a boy who collected water with his hands and drank it. The philosopher had very few belongings, including a bowl. But when he saw the little one he said: “A child surpassed me in simplicity” and threw the bowl.

On another occasion, he observed another child eating his food on a leaf. They were lentils and he used the bread, like a spoon, to put them in his mouth. Imitating him, Diogenes abandoned his bowl and ate that way ever since..

4. About keeping quiet and talking

This is one of the phrases of Diogenes, the cynic, about which there is no complete certainty of authorship. He says the following: “Being silent is how you learn to hear, listening is how you learn to speak; then, speaking, you learn to remain silent”.

If the phrase is not from Diogenes, in any case it is in line with his thought. It means that communicating is a complex process in which listening is essential. This is what allows, first, to learn to speak. And knowing how to speak implies decanting, understanding when to remain silent.

5. Charity and its interests

The story goes that one of the Athenian citizens, impressed by the degree of poverty in which Diogenes lived, approached him and asked him: “Why do people give money to beggars and not to philosophers?”.

Diogenes thought for a moment and then replied: “Because they think that, one day, they may become invalid or blind, but, philosophers, they will never”. An ingenious way of saying that charity is inspired by a kind of selfishness, which above all fuels help inspired by selfishness. Virtues do not enter into that equation, but deficiencies; It is not empathy that comes in, but fear.

In the time of Diogenes, philosophers were highly appreciated. He could have lived as a protégé of the nobles, amidst luxuries and privileges. However, chose to get rid of everything to achieve the highest degree of authenticity, truly. For this reason, it is remembered thousands of years later.

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