Diogenes of Sinope is a shocking ancient Greek philosopher. Diogenes of Sinope and his philosophy The teachings of Diogenes, what is right and wrong

Old Greek Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς

ancient Greek philosopher

OK. 412 - 323 BC e.

short biography

Many of our contemporaries remember the first thing about Diogenes that he lived in a barrel. In fact, this is far from being a “city madman”: Diogenes of Sinope is a famous ancient Greek philosopher, a prominent representative of the Cynic school, a student of Antisthenes, who continued to develop his teaching. The main source of information about the biography of Diogenes is another Diogenes, Laertius, who wrote the treatise “On the Life, Teachings and Sayings of Famous Philosophers.” It is now difficult to assess the reliability of the data it contains, as well as other information about this philosopher.

Diogenes of Sinope was born around 400 BC. e. (V different sources dates vary) in Sinope, in the family of the noble and wealthy banker Hykesius. As a young man, he became an outcast: the townspeople kicked him out for helping his father make counterfeit money in his minting workshop. According to one legend, Diogenes, who was in doubt, sought advice from the oracle of Apollo by going to Delphi. Diogenes took the advice to “reassess values” as an indication of the admissibility of what his father proposed on the topic. According to another version, Diogenes ended up in Delphi after he and his father had been exposed and escaped and did not try to resolve doubts, but asked about ways to fame. Having received the above advice, the future philosopher turned into a wanderer and traveled a lot throughout his country. Around 355-350 BC. e. he ended up in the capital, where he joined the number of students of the philosopher Antisthenes, who founded the school of Cynics. In Diogenes Laertius one can find information about 14 philosophical and ethical works of Diogenes of Sinope, which gave an idea of the system of views of their author. In addition, he is considered the author of seven tragedies.

The views of this ancient Greek philosopher, his way of life, his manner of behavior in the eyes of other people were very original and even shocking. The only thing that Diogenes recognized was ascetic virtue, which was based on imitation of nature. It is precisely this, its achievement, that constitutes man’s only goal, and the path to it lies through work, exercise and reason. Diogenes called himself a citizen of the world, advocated for children and wives to be common, and spoke about the relativity of authorities, including in the field of philosophy. For example, in the famous Plato he saw a talker. He considered the state, social laws, and religious institutions to be the brainchild of demagogues. It seemed ideal to him primitive society with his simple, natural morals, not disfigured by civilization and culture. At the same time, he believed that people needed philosophy - as a doctor or a helmsman. Diogenes showed complete indifference to public life, to everything that ordinary people considered benefits and moral standards. As a home, he chose a large vessel for storing wine, wore rags, publicly relieved his most intimate needs, communicated with people rudely and straightforwardly, regardless of their faces, for which he received the nickname “Dog” from the townspeople.

Habits, ways of expressing a negative attitude towards society and morality, Diogenes’ statements were most likely subsequently exaggerated, and today no one can say what is true in the numerous anecdotes and stories about Diogenes and what is myth or fiction. Be that as it may, Diogenes of Sinope is one of the brightest representatives of the ancient era, and his views had a significant influence on later philosophical concepts.

Legend has it that Diogenes took his own life voluntarily by holding his breath. This happened in Corinth in 323 BC. e. A marble monument depicting a dog was erected at the grave of the original philosopher.

Biography from Wikipedia

Diogenes of Sinope(ancient Greek Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς; about 412 BC, Sinop - June 10, 323 BC, Corinth) - ancient Greek philosopher, student of Antisthenes, founder of the Cynic school.

The main source of information about Diogenes is Diogenes Laertius, who compiled a book of popular (and often unreliable) anecdotes about ancient Greek philosophers. According to his description, the philosopher Diogenes was the son of the money changer Hykesius. Once in Delphi, he asked the oracle what he should do, to which he received the answer: “revaluation of values” (Greek παραχάραττειν τὸ νόµισµα). Initially, he understood this saying as "recoining", however, being exiled, he realized his calling in philosophy. In Athens he joined Antisthenes. He built his dwelling near the Athenian agora in a large clay vessel - pithos, which was buried in the ground and in which grain, wine, oil were stored or people were buried. (Later historical and artistic tradition attributed Diogenes to living in a barrel, but the ancient Greeks did not make barrels). One day the boys destroyed his house. The Athenians later provided him with a new pithos.

Disputes with Plato

Diogenes argued with Plato on several occasions. Once, trampling a mat, he exclaimed: “I am trampling Plato’s arrogance.” When Plato said that man is “a biped without feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and called him Plato’s man. Plato, in turn, called him "the maddened Socrates." Objecting to Plato’s teaching about the essence of things, Diogenes said: “I see the cup, but not the cup.” Seeing the meager lifestyle of Diogenes, Plato noticed that even in slavery to the tyrant of Syracuse Dionysius, he did not wash his own vegetables, to which he received the answer that if he had washed the vegetables himself, he would not have ended up in slavery.

Slavery at Xeniades

Diogenes took part in the Battle of Chaeronea, but was captured by the Macedonians. At the slave market, when asked what he could do, he answered: “to rule over people.” A certain Xeniad bought it as a mentor to his children. Diogenes taught them horse riding, javelin throwing, history and Greek poetry. Dying, he asked his master to bury him face down.

Shocking

Diogenes shocked his contemporaries, in particular, he ate food in the square (in the time of Diogenes, public eating was considered indecent) and openly engaged in masturbation, saying: “If only hunger could be relieved by rubbing the stomach!” One day Diogenes began to give a philosophical lecture in the city square. Nobody listened to him. Then Diogenes screeched like a bird, and a hundred onlookers gathered around. “This, Athenians, is the price of your mind,” Diogenes told them. - “When I told you smart things, no one paid attention to me, and when I chirped like an unreasonable bird, you listen to me with your mouth open.” Diogenes considered the Athenians unworthy to be called people. He mocked religious ceremonies and despised those who believed in dream-readers. He considered demagogues and politicians to be flatterers of the mob. He declared himself a citizen of the world; promoted the relativity of generally accepted moral norms.

Death

He died, according to Diogenes Laertius, on the same day as Alexander the Great.

A marble monument in the shape of a dog was erected on his grave, with the epitaph:

Let the copper grow old under the power of time - still
Your glory will survive the centuries, Diogenes:
You taught us how to live, being content with what you have,
You showed us a path that couldn’t be easier.

Essays

Diogenes Laertius nevertheless reports, referring to Sotion, about 14 works of Diogenes, among which are presented both philosophical works (“On Virtue”, “On the Good”, etc.) and several tragedies. Turning, however, to the vast number of Cynic doxographies, one can come to the conclusion that Diogenes had a fully formed system of views.

Asceticism

Diogenes proclaimed the ideal of asceticism using the example of a mouse that was not afraid of anything, did not strive for anything and was content with little. Diogenes' life in a clay jug - pithos, and the use of a cloak instead of a bed illustrated this principle. The only things he had were a bag and a staff. Sometimes he was seen walking barefoot in the snow. He only asked Alexander the Great not to block the sun for him. The meaning of asceticism was that true happiness lies in freedom and independence.

Incidents from the life of Diogenes

A famous story has been preserved: when someone argued that movement does not exist, Diogenes simply got up and began to walk.

Once, already an old man, Diogenes saw a boy drinking water from a handful, and in frustration threw his cup out of his bag, saying: “The boy has surpassed me in the simplicity of life.” He also threw away the bowl when he saw another boy who, having broken his bowl, was eating lentil soup from a piece of eaten bread.
Diogenes begged for alms from the statues “to accustom himself to refusal.”
When Diogenes asked someone to borrow money, he did not say “give me money,” but “give me my money.”

When Alexander the Great came to Attica, he, of course, wanted to get to know the famous “outcast” like many others. Plutarch says that Alexander waited a long time for Diogenes himself to come to him to pay his respects, but the philosopher spent his time calmly at home. Then Alexander himself decided to visit him. And, finding Diogenes in Crania (in a gymnasium near Corinth), when he was basking in the sun, he approached him and said: “I am great king Alexander". “And I,” answered Diogenes, “the dog Diogenes.” “And why do they call you a dog?” “Whoever throws a piece, I wag, whoever doesn’t throw, I bark, whoever evil person- I bite.” “Are you afraid of me?” - asked Alexander. “What are you,” asked Diogenes, “evil or good?” “Good,” he said. “And who is afraid of good?” Finally, Alexander said: “Ask me whatever you want.” “Move away, you are blocking the sun for me,” said Diogenes and continued to bask. On the way back, in response to the jokes of his friends who were making fun of the philosopher, Alexander allegedly even remarked: “If I were not Alexander, I would like to become Diogenes.” Ironically, Alexander died on the same day as Diogenes, June 10, 323 BC. e.
When the Athenians were preparing for war with Philip of Macedon and bustle and excitement reigned in the city, Diogenes began to roll his clay barrel in which he lived through the streets back and forth. When asked why he was doing this, Diogenes replied: “Everyone is in trouble now, that’s why it’s not good for me to be idle, but I roll pithos because I have nothing else.”
Diogenes said that grammarians study the disasters of Odysseus and do not know their own; musicians fret the strings of the lyre and cannot control their own temper; mathematicians follow the sun and moon, but do not see what is under their feet; rhetoricians teach to speak correctly and do not teach to act correctly; finally, misers scold money, but they themselves love it most of all.
Diogenes' lantern, with which he wandered through crowded places in broad daylight with the words “I am looking for a Man,” became a textbook example back in antiquity.
One day, after washing, Diogenes was leaving the bathhouse, and acquaintances who were just about to wash were walking towards him. “Diogenes,” they asked in passing, “how is it full of people?” “That’s enough,” Diogenes nodded. Immediately he met other acquaintances who were also going to wash and also asked: “Hello, Diogenes, are there a lot of people washing?” “There are almost no people,” Diogenes shook his head. Returning once from Olympia, when asked whether there were many people there, he replied: “There are a lot of people, but very few people.” And one day he went out into the square and shouted: “Hey, people, people!”; but when the people came running, Diogenes attacked him with a stick, saying: “I called people, not scoundrels.”
Diogenes continually engaged in handjobs in full view of everyone; when the Athenians remarked about this, they say, “Diogenes, everything is clear, we have a democracy and you can do what you want, but aren’t you going too far?”, he replied: “If only hunger could be relieved by rubbing your stomach.”
When Plato gave a definition that had great success: “Man is an animal with two legs, devoid of feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and brought it to his school, declaring: “Here is Plato’s man!” To which Plato was forced to add “... and with flat nails” to his definition.
One day Diogenes came to a lecture with Anaximenes of Lampsacus, sat in the back rows, took a fish out of a bag and raised it above his head. First one listener turned around and began to look at the fish, then another, then almost everyone. Anaximenes was indignant: “You ruined my lecture!” “But what is a lecture worth,” said Diogenes, “if some salted fish upset your reasoning?”
Diogenes, seeing how the slaves of Anaximenes of Lampsacus were carrying numerous belongings, asked who they belonged to. When they answered him that Anaximenes, he was indignant: “And isn’t it a shame for him, owning such property, not to control himself?”
When asked which wine tastes best to him, he answered: “Someone else’s.”
One day someone brought him to a luxurious home and remarked: “You see how clean it is here, don’t spit somewhere, it will be all right for you.” Diogenes looked around and spat in his face, declaring: “Where to spit if there is no worse place.”
When someone was reading a long work and an unwritten place at the end of the scroll appeared, Diogenes exclaimed: “Courage, friends: the shore is visible!”
To the inscription of one newlywed who wrote on his house: “The son of Zeus, victorious Hercules, dwells here, let no evil enter!” Diogenes added: “First war, then alliance.”
Seeing an incompetent archer, Diogenes sat down near the target and explained: “This is so that it doesn’t hit me.”
One day Diogenes begged for alms from a man with a bad character. “I’ll give you money if you convince me,” he said. “If I could convince you,” said Diogenes, “I would convince you to hang yourself.”
Someone reproached him for damaging the coin. “That was the time,” said Diogenes, “when I was what you are now; but you will never become what I am now.” Someone else reproached him with the same thing. Diogenes replied: “Once upon a time I wet my bed, but now I don’t.”
Seeing the son of a hetaera throwing stones into the crowd, Diogenes said: “Beware of hitting your father!”
In a large crowd of people, where Diogenes was also present, a young man involuntarily released gases, for which Diogenes hit him with a stick and said: “Listen, you bastard, having really done nothing to behave impudently in public, you began to show us your contempt for the opinions of the [majority]?
Once upon a time a philosopher

Diogenes of Sinope (circa (412 BC - June 10, 323 BC)) - ancient Greek philosopher, a prominent representative of the Cynecus school, student and follower of its founder Antisthenes. He went down in history, first of all, for his eccentricity and asceticism.

The main source of information about Diogenes of Sinope is Diogenes Laertius, a late antique historian of philosophy who presumably lived in the 2nd-3rd centuries and wrote the treatise “On the Life, Teachings and Sayings of Famous Philosophers.” The presentation of philosophical views in this treatise is sometimes inaccurate, interspersed with funny biographical anecdotes (including clearly fictitious and even obscene).

Diogenes' childhood and youth

According to Diogenes Laertius, the future ancient Greek philosopher was born in 412 BC, in the city of Sinope, located on the Black Sea coast. Nothing is known about Diogenes' mother. The boy’s father, Hykesius, worked as a trapezite - so in Ancient Greece they called money changers and moneylenders. Diogenes' childhood passed through turbulent times - conflicts constantly flared up in his hometown between pro-Greek and pro-Persian groups. Due to the difficult social situation, Hykesius began to counterfeit coins, but the meal was quickly caught red-handed. Diogenes, who was also about to be arrested and punished, managed to escape from the city. And so began the guy’s journey, which led him to Delphi.

In Delphi, tired and exhausted, Diogenes turned to the local oracle with the question of what to do next. The answer, as expected, was vague: “Reconsider values and priorities.” At that moment, Diogenes did not understand these words, so he did not attach any significance to them and went on wandering.

Barrel of Diogenes

The road led Diogenes to Athens, where he encountered the philosopher Antisthenes in the city square. It is not known how their acquaintance took place, but Antisthenes struck Diogenes to the core, and Diogenes aroused a feeling of hostility in Antisthenes. Then Diogenes decided to stay in Athens to become a student of the philosopher.

Diogenes did not have money (according to some sources, it was stolen by his comrade Manes, with whom Diogenes arrived in Athens), so he could not afford to buy a house or even rent a room. But this did not become a problem for the future philosopher: Diogenes dug next to the temple of Cybele (not far from the Athenian agora - the central square) a pithos - a large clay vessel, in which the Greeks stored grain, wine, oil or buried people. And he began to live in pithos. Later historical and artistic tradition replaced the “pithos” with the “barrel”, which was more familiar to Europeans, which served as the basis for the expression “Diogenes’ barrel.” One day the boys destroyed his house and the Athenians provided him with a new pithos.

Philosophy of Diogenes

Although not immediately, Diogenes managed to become a student of Antisthenes, the founder of the Cynic school. The elderly philosopher could not get rid of the persistent student even after beating him with a stick. And in the end, it was this student who glorified Cynicism as a school ancient philosophy. Diogenes still lived in his barrel, but not at all because he could not earn a living.

The philosophy of Diogenes was based on asceticism, renunciation of all the blessings of existence, as well as imitation of nature. Diogenes proclaimed the ideal of asceticism using the example of a mouse that was not afraid of anything, did not strive for anything and was content with little. Diogenes' life in a clay jug - pithos, and the use of a cloak instead of a bed illustrated this principle. The only things he had were a bag and a staff. Sometimes he was seen walking barefoot in the snow. He only asked Alexander the Great not to block the sun for him. The meaning of asceticism was that true happiness lies in freedom and independence

Diogenes did not recognize states, politicians, religions and clergy, and considered himself a cosmopolitan - a citizen of the world.

Shocking

Diogenes shocked his contemporaries, in particular, he ate in the square (in the time of Diogenes, public eating was considered indecent) and openly engaged in masturbation, saying: “If only hunger could be relieved by rubbing the stomach!” During a conversation with Alexander the Great, the philosopher called himself a dog, but Diogenes called himself that way before. One day, several townspeople threw him a bone like a dog and wanted to force him to chew it. However, they could not predict the result - like a dog, Diogenes took revenge on bullies and offenders by urinating on them.

There were also less extravagant performances. Seeing an incompetent archer, Diogenes sat down near the target, saying that this was the most safe place. Standing naked in the rain. When the townspeople tried to take Diogenes under the canopy, Plato said that it was not worth it: best help Diogenes' vanity will manifest itself in not touching him.

Disputes with Plato

Diogenes argued with Plato on several occasions. Once, trampling a mat, he exclaimed: “I am trampling Plato’s arrogance.” When Plato said that man is “a biped without feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and called him Plato’s man. Plato, in turn, called him “the maddened Socrates.” Objecting to Plato’s teaching about the essence of things, Diogenes said: “I see the cup, but not the cup.” Seeing the meager lifestyle of Diogenes, Plato noticed that even in slavery to the tyrant of Syracuse Dionysius, he did not wash his own vegetables, to which he received the answer that if he had washed the vegetables himself, he would not have ended up in slavery.

Diogenes often spoke unflatteringly about the inhabitants of Athens. One day Diogenes began to give a philosophical lecture in the city square. Nobody listened to him. Then Diogenes screeched like a bird, and a hundred onlookers gathered around. “This, Athenians, is the price of your mind,” Diogenes told them. - “When I told you smart things, no one paid attention to me, and when I chirped like an unreasonable bird, you listen to me with your mouth open.” Diogenes considered the Athenians unworthy to be called people. He mocked religious ceremonies and despised those who believed in dream-readers. He considered demagogues and politicians to be flatterers of the mob. He declared himself a citizen of the world; promoted the relativity of generally accepted moral norms.

Death of Diogenes

When the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC) took place between the Greeks and the Macedonian king Philip II, Diogenes left Athens, going by ship to the shores of Aegina. However, it was not possible to get there - the ship was captured by pirates, and everyone on it was either killed or captured. Diogenes was also captured. According to other sources, he participated in this battle, where he was also captured by the Macedonians.

The slave trade flourished in those days, so Diogenes also did not escape his fate - the slave market, where he was bought by the Corinthian Xeanides so that the philosopher would teach his children. It is worth noting that Diogenes was a good teacher - in addition to horse riding, throwing darts, history and Greek literature, the philosopher taught the children of Xeanidas to eat and dress modestly, as well as to study physical exercise to maintain your physical fitness and health.

Friends offered the philosopher to buy him out of slavery, but he refused, claiming that this illustrated the fact that even in slavery he could be “the master of his master.” But it is quite possible that Diogenes enjoyed a roof over his head and regular meals.

The philosopher died on the same day as Alexander the Great - June 10, 323, while in slavery under Xeanides. They buried Diogenes face down - as he asked. At his grave in Corinth there was a tombstone made of Parian marble with words of gratitude from his students and wishes for eternal glory. A dog was also made from marble, symbolizing the life of Diogenes. The epitaph read:

Let the copper grow old under the power of time - still
Your glory will survive the centuries, Diogenes:
You taught us how to live, being content with what you have,
You showed us a path that couldn’t be easier.

Personal life

Diogenes denied the family and the state, arguing that children and wives are common, and there are no borders between countries. Based on this, it is difficult to establish the philosopher’s biological children.

Works of Diogenes

According to Diogenes Laertius, the philosopher from Sinope left behind 14 philosophical works and 2 tragedies (in some sources the number of tragedies is 7). The works themselves have not survived; they are known thanks to other writers and philosophers who use the sayings and sayings of Diogenes. Diogenes' works include "On Wealth", "On Virtue", "The Athenian People", "The Science of Morals" and "On Death", and his tragedies include "Hercules" and "Helen".

Incidents from the life of Diogenes

A famous story has been preserved: when someone argued that movement does not exist, Diogenes simply got up and began to walk.

Once, already an old man, Diogenes saw a boy drinking water from a handful, and in frustration threw his cup out of his bag, saying: “The boy has surpassed me in the simplicity of life.” He also threw away the bowl when he saw another boy who, having broken his bowl, was eating lentil soup from a piece of eaten bread.

Diogenes begged for alms from the statues “to accustom himself to refusal.”

When Diogenes asked someone to borrow money, he did not say “give me money,” but “give me my money.”

When Alexander the Great came to Attica, he, of course, wanted to get to know the famous “outcast” like many others. Plutarch says that Alexander waited a long time for Diogenes himself to come to him to pay his respects, but the philosopher spent his time calmly at home. Then Alexander himself decided to visit him. And, finding Diogenes in Crania (in a gymnasium near Corinth), when he was basking in the sun, he approached him and said: “I am the great King Alexander.” “And I,” answered Diogenes, “the dog Diogenes.” “And why do they call you a dog?” “Whoever throws a piece, I wag, whoever doesn’t throw, I bark, whoever is an evil person, I bite.” “Are you afraid of me?” - asked Alexander. “What are you,” asked Diogenes, “evil or good?” “Good,” he said. “And who is afraid of good?” Finally, Alexander said: “Ask me whatever you want.” “Move away, you are blocking the sun for me,” said Diogenes and continued to bask. On the way back, in response to the jokes of his friends who were making fun of the philosopher, Alexander allegedly even remarked: “If I were not Alexander, I would like to become Diogenes.” Ironically, Alexander died on the same day as Diogenes, June 10, 323 BC. e.

When the Athenians were preparing for war with Philip of Macedon and bustle and excitement reigned in the city, Diogenes began to roll his clay barrel in which he lived through the streets back and forth. When asked why he was doing this, Diogenes replied: “Everyone is in trouble now, that’s why it’s not good for me to be idle, but I roll pithos because I have nothing else.”

Diogenes said that grammarians study the disasters of Odysseus and do not know their own; musicians fret the strings of the lyre and cannot control their own temper; mathematicians follow the sun and moon, but do not see what is under their feet; rhetoricians teach to speak correctly and do not teach to act correctly; finally, misers scold money, but they themselves love it most of all.

Diogenes' lantern, with which he wandered through crowded places in broad daylight with the words “I am looking for a Man,” became a textbook example back in antiquity.

One day, after washing, Diogenes was leaving the bathhouse, and acquaintances who were just about to wash were walking towards him. “Diogenes,” they asked in passing, “how is it full of people?” “That’s enough,” Diogenes nodded. Immediately he met other acquaintances who were also going to wash and also asked: “Hello, Diogenes, are there a lot of people washing?” “There are almost no people,” Diogenes shook his head.

Returning once from Olympia, when asked whether there were many people there, he replied: “There are a lot of people, but very few people.” And one day he went out into the square and shouted: “Hey, people, people!”; but when the people came running, Diogenes attacked him with a stick, saying: “I called people, not scoundrels.”

When Plato gave a definition that had great success: “Man is an animal with two legs, devoid of feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and brought it to his school, declaring: “Here is Plato’s man!” To which Plato was forced to add “... and with flat nails” to his definition.

One day Diogenes came to a lecture with Anaximenes of Lampsacus, sat in the back rows, took a fish out of a bag and raised it above his head. First one listener turned around and began to look at the fish, then another, then almost everyone. Anaximenes was indignant: “You ruined my lecture!” “But what is a lecture worth,” said Diogenes, “if some salted fish upset your reasoning?”

Diogenes, seeing how the slaves of Anaximenes of Lampsacus were carrying numerous belongings, asked who they belonged to. When they answered him that Anaximenes, he was indignant: “And isn’t it a shame for him, owning such property, not to control himself?”

When asked which wine tastes best to him, he answered: “Someone else’s.”

One day someone brought him to a luxurious home and remarked: “You see how clean it is here, don’t spit somewhere, it will be all right for you.” Diogenes looked around and spat in his face, declaring: “Where to spit if there is no worse place.”

When someone was reading a long work and an unwritten place at the end of the scroll appeared, Diogenes exclaimed: “Courage, friends: the shore is visible!”

To the inscription of one newlywed who wrote on his house: “The son of Zeus, victorious Hercules, dwells here, let no evil enter!” Diogenes added: “First war, then alliance.”

One day Diogenes begged for alms from a man with a bad character. “I’ll give you money if you convince me,” he said. “If I could convince you,” said Diogenes, “I would convince you to hang yourself.”

Someone reproached him for damaging the coin. “That was the time,” said Diogenes, “when I was what you are now; but you will never become what I am now.” Someone else reproached him with the same thing. Diogenes replied: “Once upon a time I wet my bed, but now I don’t.”

Seeing the son of a hetaera throwing stones into the crowd, Diogenes said: “Beware of hitting your father!”

In a large crowd of people, where Diogenes was also present, a young man involuntarily released gases, for which Diogenes hit him with a stick and said: “Listen, you bastard, having really done nothing to behave impudently in public, you began to show us your contempt for the opinions of the [majority]?

One day the philosopher Aristippus, who made a fortune by praising a tyrant, saw Diogenes washing lentils and said: “If you had glorified the tyrant, you would not have to eat lentils!” To which Diogenes objected: “If you learned to eat lentils, then you would not have to glorify the tyrant!”

Once, when Antisthenes swung a stick at him, Diogenes, putting his head up, said: “Strike, but you will not find such a strong stick to drive me away until you say something.” From then on, he became a student of Antisthenes and, being an exile, led a very simple life.

Aphorisms of Diogenes

Poverty itself paves the way to philosophy. What philosophy tries to convince in words, poverty forces us to do in practice.

Philosophy and medicine have made man the most intelligent of animals, fortune telling and astrology the most insane, superstition and despotism the most unfortunate.

Treat dignitaries like fire: do not stand either very close or very far from them.

When extending your hand to friends, do not clench your fingers into a fist.

The slanderer is the most fierce of wild beasts; The flatterer is the most dangerous of tame animals.

Gratitude ages the fastest.

Death is not evil, for there is no dishonor in it.

“MY HOUSE IS MY BARREL” (DIOGENES OF SINOPE)

Diogenes of Sinope - ancient Greek Cynic philosopher, student of Antisthenes. Lived and worked around 400-325 BC. e. He was a very extraordinary person, and during his lifetime he became the hero of numerous tales and anecdotes. His father was a government money changer, and Diogenes sometimes worked with his father. But they were soon expelled for deceiving and robbing the people.

Having settled in Athens, he became a student of Antisthenes, who, according to legend, first drove Diogenes away with a stick, but then still accepted him, seeing in the young man a deep desire to know life as it really is. Since then, he began to lead a very peculiar lifestyle.

Diogenes lived an interesting and unusual life, dying at a very old age. There are many legends not only about his life, but also about his death. Some say that he ate raw octopus and fell ill with cholera, others say that he died of old age, deliberately holding his breath. Still others say that Diogenes wanted to divide the octopus among stray dogs, but they were so hungry that they bit him, and from this he died.

Dying, Diogenes gave the order not to bury his body, but to throw it so that it could become the prey of animals, or throw it into a ditch. But, of course, the grateful disciples did not dare to leave the mortal remains without burial - and buried Diogenes near the gate leading to Isthmus. A pillar was placed on his grave, and on the pillar was an image of a dog and a huge number of copper tablets, on which words of gratitude and regret about his death were carved. It may seem strange that a stone dog was placed on the grave. The fact is that during his lifetime Diogenes called himself a dog (the philosopher considered himself a Cynic, and “kinos” is translated from ancient Greek as “dog”), citing the fact that he would lick the feet of good people who gave him a piece of bread, and evil ones - bite mercilessly.

Diogenes composed many works, including “The Athenian People”, “The State”, “The Science of Morals”, “On Wealth”, “On Love”, “Aristarchus”, “On Death” and others. In addition, he wrote such tragedies as “Helen”, “Thyestes”, “Hercules”, “Achilles”, “Oedipus”, “Medea” and others.

As mentioned earlier, Diogenes of Sinope had an extraordinary mind and practiced extreme asceticism, sometimes bordering on eccentric foolishness. He preached healthy image life. The simpler and poorer a person lived, refusing many of the benefits of civilization, the higher and more spiritual he looked in the eyes of Diogenes. He called himself a citizen of the world and, according to ancient legend, lived in an ordinary clay barrel at the temple of the Mother of the Gods, deliberately depriving himself of numerous benefits.

Diogenes understood how to live when he accidentally turned his gaze to a mouse running past. She was free, did not need bedding, was not afraid of the dark, was content with simple food, which she obtained through labor and care, and did not strive to receive any pleasures, which Diogenes considered superficial and imaginary, only hiding the real essence.

In his so-called home - in a barrel - Diogenes slept, putting a cloak folded in half under him, which he then put on and wore. He always had a bag with him in which he kept simple food. If he sometimes did not have to spend the night in a barrel, then any other place, be it a square or bare damp earth, was equally suitable for Diogenes for eating, sleeping, and for long conversations with casual listeners.

Diogenes called on everyone to harden their bodies, but he did not limit himself to just one call, but showed by his own example how to harden. In the summer, he took off his clothes and lay for a long time on the hot sand, and in the winter, he jogged barefoot on the cold ground and hugged snow-covered statues.

Diogenes treated all people without exception with contemptuous ridicule - and said that sometimes it seemed to him that man was the most intelligent creature on earth. But when on his way he met people who boasted of wealth or fame, or who deceived the common people for their own benefit, then people seemed to him much more stupid than the rest of God’s creatures. He argued: in order to live properly, you must at least have reason.

Diogenes by nature was a kind of cynic (it’s easy to guess that “cynic” is a corruption of “cynic” by the Romans), not sparing himself or anyone else. He said that people are inherently evil and insidious - and at any opportunity they strive to push those walking next to them into a ditch, and the further, the better. But none of them even makes attempts to become kinder and better. He was surprised that people look into the distance, not noticing simple and everyday things that happen very close. He was annoyed that they were praying to God for good health, while at the same time engaging in gluttony at numerous feasts.

The philosopher taught that people, if possible, take care of themselves, eat simple food and drink clean water, had their hair cut short, did not wear jewelry or frilly clothes, walked barefoot as often as possible and were mostly silent, with downcast eyes. He considered people with eloquence to be empty talkers with a limited worldview.

Being a deeply religious man, Diogenes believed that everything that happens on earth is in the power of the gods. He considered the sages to be chosen people close to the gods, their close friends, and since friends have everything in common, then absolutely everything in the world belongs to the sages. He was sure that fate could be outsmarted if one showed courage and courage in time. He opposed nature to the law, and reason to human passions.

To those who were afraid of bad dreams, Diogenes said that it would be better for them to worry about what they do during the day, and not about the stupid thoughts that come to mind at night. But no matter how cynically he treated people in general and himself in particular, the Athenians loved and revered Diogenes. And when one day a poor boy accidentally broke his house - a barrel, this boy was subjected to severe punishment, and Diogenes was given a new barrel.

Often he announced publicly that initially the gods gave people easy and happy life, but they themselves spoiled and darkened it, gradually inventing various benefits for themselves. He considered greed to be the cause of all troubles - and he called old age, which overtakes a person in poverty, the most sorrowful thing in life. Diogenes called such a wonderful feeling as love the work of idlers, and noble and good-natured people as likenesses of gods. He considered human life to be evil, but not all life, only bad life.

He ridiculed fame, wealth and noble origin, calling all this the embellishment of vice. And the whole world considered it the only true state. Diogenes said that wives should be common and, therefore, sons should also be common. Denied legal marriage. He argued that everything exists in everything and through everything, that is, bread contains meat, vegetables contain bread; and in general, all bodies penetrate each other with the smallest particles through invisible pores.

Diogenes had many students and listeners, despite the fact that he was at least reputed to be an unusual and extraordinary person. They continued his work, thereby ensuring the development of the idea of asceticism in philosophy.

* * *
One day, the famous commander Alexander the Great was passing through Athens and stopped to look at a local landmark - the philosopher Diogenes. Alexander approached the barrel in which the thinker lived and offered to do something for him. Diogenes replied: “Don’t block the sun for me!”

...........................................................

Diogenes of Sinope (c. 404 - c. 323 BC) - ancient Greek philosopher, student and follower of Antisthenes. The sphere of philosophical interests were aspects of moral and ethical relations, interpreted by Diogenes of Sinope in the spirit of cynicism, and of an extremely rigoristic sense. Because of large number contradictory descriptions and doxographies, the figure of Diogenes of Sinope appears today in an excessively transformed form. The works attributed to him that have survived to this day were most likely created by followers and belong to a later period; information has also been preserved about the existence of at least five Diogenes, dating back to the same historical period.

All this significantly complicates the systematic organization of information about Diogenes of Sinope. Due to the widespread negative attitude towards the Cynics, the name of Diogenes of Sinope was often transferred from anecdotes and legends, in which it belonged to the ambivalent figure of a trickster-sage and integrated extensive fiction into the critical works of other philosophers (Aristotle, Diogenes Laertius, F. Sayer).

On the basis of anecdotes and parables, even an entire literary tradition of antiquity arose, embodied in the genres of apothegmata and chrys (Metroclus, Dion Chrysostom, etc.). The most famous story is about Diogenes of Sinope, who during the day with a lantern was looking for an honest man. (The same story was told about Aesop, Heraclitus, Democritus, Archilochus, etc.)

The main source of information about Diogenes of Sinope is the “Lives and Opinions” of Diogenes Laertius. Claiming the unsystematic views and the general absence of the teachings of Diogenes of Sinope, Diogenes Laertius nevertheless reports, referring to Sotion, about 14 works of Diogenes of Sinope, including both philosophical works ("On Virtue", "On the Good", etc.), and and several tragedies.

Having turned to the vast number of Cynic doxographies, one can come to the conclusion about the existence of a completely developed system of views of Diogenes of Sinope. According to these testimonies, he, preaching an ascetic lifestyle, despised luxury, was content with the dress of a tramp, using a wine barrel for his home, and in his means of expression he was often so straightforward and rude that he earned himself the names “Dog” and “crazy Socrates.”

There is no doubt that Diogenes of Sinope. and in his conversations and in everyday life he often behaved as a marginal subject, shocking this or that audience not so much with the goal of insulting or humiliating it, but rather out of the need to pay attention to the foundations of society, religious norms, the institution of marriage, etc. He asserted the primacy of virtue over the laws of society, rejected faith in gods established by religious institutions, and considered civilization a false invention of demagogues.

He promoted the relativity of generally accepted moral norms, the relativity of authorities not only among politicians, but also among philosophers. Thus, his relationship with Plato, whom he considered a chatterbox (Diogenes Laertius), is well known. It is quite legitimate to assert that his negative actions towards society were deliberately exaggerated in the subsequent tradition. Therefore, the entire history of the life and work of this thinker appears as a myth created by many historians and philosophers. It is difficult to find unambiguous information even of a biographical nature. So, for example, according to the testimony of Demetrius of Phalerum, the day of the death of Diogenes of Sinope coincides with the day of the death of Alexander the Great. Thanks to his originality, Diogenes of Sinope is one of the most prominent representatives of antiquity, and the Cynic paradigm he set later had a serious influence on a variety of philosophical concepts.

There were many Diogenes in Greece, but the most famous of them was, of course, the philosopher Diogenes, who lived in the city of Sinope in one of his famous barrels.

He did not immediately reach such a philosophical life. First, Diogenes met with the oracle and the soothsayer advised him: ““Reassess your values!” Diogenes understood this in the literal sense and began minting coins. While busy with this unseemly task, he saw a mouse running across the floor. And Diogenes thought - here is a mouse, she doesn’t care about what to drink, what to eat, what to wear, where to lie down. Looking at the mouse, Diogenes understood the meaning of existence, got himself a staff and a bag and began to walk around the cities and villages of Greece, often visited Corinth and it was there that he settled in a large round clay barrel.

His belongings were small - in his bag there was a bowl, a mug, a spoon. And seeing how the shepherd boy leaned over the stream and drank from his palm, Diogenes threw away the mug. His bag became lighter and soon, noticing the invention of another boy - he poured lentil soup directly into his palm - Diogenes threw away the bowl.

“It’s easy for a philosopher to get rich, but not interesting,” said the Greek sages and very often treated everyday well-being with undisguised contempt.

One of the seven wise men, Biant from Priene, together with other fellow countrymen, left his hometown taken by the enemy. Everyone carried and carried with them everything they could, and only Biant alone walked lightly, without any belongings.

"Hey, philosopher! Where is your goodness?! - Laughing, they shouted after him: “Have you really never gained anything in your entire life?”

"I carry everything that's mine with me! "- Biant answered proudly and the scoffers fell silent.

Living in a barrel, Diogenes hardened himself. He also specially hardened himself - in the summer he rolled on the hot sand of the sun, and in the winter he hugged statues covered with snow. The philosopher generally loved to shock his fellow countrymen and, perhaps, that is why so many stories have been preserved about his antics. Even Gogol’s Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov knew one of them.

One day on a holiday, a barefoot man suddenly appears in the market square in a rough cloak over his naked body, with a beggar’s bag, a thick stick and a lantern - he walks and shouts: “I’m looking for a man, I’m looking for a man!!”

People come running, and Diogenes swings a stick at them: “I called people, not slaves!”

After this incident, ill-wishers asked Diogenes: “Well, did you find a person?” to which Diogenes answered with a sad smile: “I found good children in Sparta, but good husbands- nowhere and not a single one."

Diogenes confused not only the simple Sinopian and Corinthian people, but also his brother philosophers.

They say that once the divine Plato gave a lecture at his Academy and gave the following definition of man: “Man is an animal with two legs, without down or feathers,” and earned universal approval. The resourceful Diogenes, who did not like Plato and his philosophy, plucked a rooster and threw it into the audience shouting: “Here’s Plato’s man!”

Most likely this story is an anecdote. But it was obviously invented based on Diogenes’ amazing ability to philosophize through the very action, the very way of life.

Diogenes lived until the time of Alexander the Great and often met with him. Stories about these meetings usually begin with the words: “Once Alexander drove up to Diogenes.” The question arises, why would the great Alexander, at whose feet lay several conquered kingdoms, begin to drive up to the beggar philosopher Diogenes?!

Perhaps they always loved talking about such meetings because a beggar philosopher, prophet or holy fool could and did tell the kings the truth straight to their faces.

So, one day Alexander rode up to Diogenes and said:

I am Alexander - the great king!

And I am Diogenes the dog. I wag my tail to those who give to me, I bark at those who refuse, and I bite others.

Would you like to have lunch with me?

And then one day, when the mischievous boys took and broke his barrel, it was made of baked clay, the wise city authorities decided to flog the children so that they would be disgraceful, and give Diogenes a new barrel. Therefore, in the philosophical museum there should be two barrels - one old and broken, and the other new.

Legend says that Diogenes died on the same day as Alexander the Great. Alexander - at the age of thirty-three in distant and alien Babylon, Diogenes - in the eighty-ninth year of his life in his native Corinth on a city wasteland.

And a dispute arose between the few students about who should bury the philosopher. The matter, as usual, was not without a fight. But their fathers and representatives of the authorities came and buried Diogenes near the city gates. A column was erected over the grave, and on it was a dog carved from marble. Later, other compatriots honored Diogenes by erecting bronze monuments to him, on one of which was written:

"Time will age bronze, only Diogenes glory

Eternity will surpass itself and will never die!

In Antiquity, humanity made a cultural leap and expanded the horizons of knowledge.

This served as fertile ground for the emergence of schools of philosophy. Then the teachings of Socrates were formulated, supplemented and revised by his famous student Plato. This teaching has become a classic, and it remains relevant in our time. +But there were other philosophical schools, for example, the school of the Cynics, founded by another student of Socrates - Antisthenes. And a prominent representative of this trend was Diogenes of Sinope, he became famous for his eternal disputes with Plato, as well as for his shocking and sometimes very vulgar antics. It turns out that shocking people existed in ancient times. Among them there were also philosophers, like Diogenes of Sinope.

From the biography of Diogenes:

Little is known about the life of Diogenes, and the information that remains is controversial. What is known about the biography of the philosopher fits into one chapter of the book by his namesake, the late antique scientist and bibliographer Diogenes Laertius, “On the Life, Teachings and Sayings of Famous Philosophers.”

According to this book, the ancient Greek philosopher was born in 412 BC, in the city of Sinope (hence his nickname), located on the Black Sea. Nothing is known about Diogenes' mother. The boy’s father, Hykesius, worked as a trapezite - that’s what money changers and money lenders were called in Ancient Greece.

Diogenes' childhood passed through turbulent times - conflicts constantly broke out between pro-Greek and pro-Persian groups in his hometown. Due to the difficult social situation, Hykesius began to counterfeit coins, but the meal was quickly caught red-handed. Diogenes, who was also about to be arrested and punished, managed to escape from the city. Thus began the journey of Diogenes, which led him to Delphi.

The road then led Diogenes to Athens, where in the city square he encountered the philosopher Antisthenes, who struck Diogenes to the core. Then Diogenes decided to stay in Athens to become a student of the philosopher, although Diogenes aroused a feeling of hostility in Antisthenes.

Diogenes had no money (according to some sources, it was stolen by his comrade Manes, with whom Diogenes arrived in Athens). He could not buy a house or even rent a room. But this did not become a problem for the future philosopher: Diogenes dug next to the temple of Cybele (not far from the Athenian agora - the central square) a pithos - a large clay barrel in which the Greeks stored food so that it would not disappear (ancient version of the refrigerator). Diogenes began to live in a barrel (pithos), which served as the basis for the expression “Diogenes’ barrel.”

Although not immediately, Diogenes managed to become a student of Antisthenes. The elderly philosopher could not get rid of the persistent student even by beating him with a stick. As a result, it was this student of his who glorified Cynicism as a school of ancient philosophy.

The philosophy of Diogenes was based on asceticism, renunciation of all the blessings of existence, as well as imitation of nature. Diogenes did not recognize states, politicians, religion and clergy (an echo of communication with the Delphic oracle), and considered himself a cosmopolitan - a citizen of the world.

After the death of his teacher, Diogenes's affairs became very bad; the townspeople believed that he had lost his mind, as evidenced by his vulgar regular antics. It is known that Diogenes publicly engaged in masturbation, exclaiming that it would be wonderful if hunger could be satisfied by stroking the belly.

During a conversation with Alexander the Great, the philosopher called himself a dog, but Diogenes called himself that way before. One day, several townspeople threw him a bone like a dog and wanted to force him to chew it. However, they could not predict the result - like a dog, Diogenes took revenge on bullies and offenders by urinating on them.

There were also less extravagant performances. Seeing the incompetent archer, Diogenes sat down near the target, saying that this was the safest place. And he stood naked in the rain. When the townspeople tried to take Diogenes under the canopy, Plato said that they shouldn’t: the best help for Diogenes’ vanity would be to not touch him.

The history of the disagreements between Plato and Diogenes is interesting, but Diogenes only once managed to really beat his opponent beautifully - this is the case of Plato’s man and the plucked chicken. In other cases, victory remained with Plato. Modern scholars are of the opinion that the native of Sinop was simply jealous of his more successful opponent.

It is also known about the conflict with other philosophers, including Anaximenes of Lampsacus and Aristippus. In between skirmishes with competitors, Diogenes continued to do weird things and answer people's questions. One of the philosopher’s eccentricities gave the name to another popular expression – “Diogenes’ lantern.” The philosopher walked around the square with a lantern during the day, exclaiming: “I am looking for a man.” In this way he expressed his attitude towards the people around him. Diogenes often spoke unflatteringly about the inhabitants of Athens. One day the philosopher began to give a lecture in the market, but no one listened to him. Then he squealed like a bird, and a crowd immediately gathered around him. “This is the level of your development,” said Diogenes, “when I said smart things, they ignored me, but when I crowed like a rooster, everyone began to watch with interest.”

When the military conflict between the Greeks and the Macedonian king Philip II began, Diogenes left Athens, going by ship to the shores of Aegina. However, it was not possible to get there - the ship was captured by pirates, and everyone on it was either killed or captured.

From captivity, Diogenes was sent to the slave market, where he was purchased by the Corinthian Xeanides so that the philosopher would teach his children. It is worth noting that Diogenes was a good teacher - in addition to horse riding, throwing darts, history and Greek literature, the philosopher taught the children of Xeanidas to eat and dress modestly, as well as to engage in physical exercise to maintain their physical fitness and health.

Students and acquaintances offered the philosopher to buy him out of slavery, but he refused, claiming that this allegedly illustrates the fact that even in slavery he can be “the master of his master.” In fact, Diogenes enjoyed a roof over his head and regular meals.

The philosopher died on June 10, 323, while in slavery under Xeanides. Diogenes was buried face down - as requested. At his grave in Corinth there was a tombstone made of Parian marble with words of gratitude from his students and wishes for eternal glory. A dog was also made from marble, symbolizing the life of Diogenes. Diogenes introduced himself as a dog to Alexander the Great when the Macedonian king decided to get acquainted with the famous marginal philosopher. To Alexander’s question: “Why a dog?” Diogenes answered simply: “Whoever throws a piece, I wag, whoever does not throw, I bark, and whoever offends, I bite.” To a humorous question about the breed of dog, the philosopher also answered without further ado: “When hungry - Maltese (i.e. affectionate), when full - Milosian (i.e. angry).”

According to the book of bibliographer Diogenes Laertius, the philosopher from Sinop left behind 14 philosophical works and 2 tragedies (in some sources the number of tragedies increases to 7). Most of them have been preserved thanks to other writers and philosophers using the sayings and sayings of Diogenes. The surviving works include On Wealth, On Virtue, The Athenian People, The Science of Morals and On Death, and the tragedies include Hercules and Helen.

Interesting Facts from the life of Diogenes:

*Diogenes actually did not live in a barrel, as many believe, but in a pithos - a clay vessel for storing grain. The wooden barrel was invented by the Romans 5 centuries after the death of Diogenes.

*One day, a very rich man invited Diogenes to his luxurious home and warned him: “Look how clean my house is, don’t even think about spitting somewhere.” Having examined the dwelling and marveled at its beauty, Diogenes approached the owner and spat in his face, declaring that this was the dirtiest place he had found.

*Diogenes often had to beg, but he did not ask for alms, but demanded: “You fools, give it to the philosopher, because he teaches you how to live!”

*When the Athenians were busy preparing for war with Philip of Macedon and there was bustle and excitement all around, Diogenes began to roll his pithos through the streets. Many asked him why he was doing this, to which Diogenes replied: “Everyone is busy, and so am I.”

*When Alexander the Great conquered Attica, he decided to personally meet Diogenes and came to him with an offer to fulfill any desire. Diogenes asked him to move away so as not to block the sun. To which the commander noted that if he had not been Alexander the Great, he would have become Diogenes.

*Once, returning from Olympia, when asked whether there were many people there, Diogenes said: “There are a lot of people, but there are no people.”

*And another time, going out to the square, he began to shout: “Hey, people, people!”, But when the people came running, he began to drive them away with a stick, saying: “I called people, not scoundrels.”

*Seeing the son of a prostitute throwing stones into the crowd, Diogenes said: “Beware of hitting your father!”

*After Plato defined man as an animal that walks on two legs and is devoid of hair and feathers, Diogenes brought a plucked rooster to his school and released it, solemnly proclaiming: “Now you are a man!” Plato had to add the phrase “... and with flat nails” to the definition.

*During his lifetime, Diogenes was often called a dog for his behavior, and this animal became a symbol of the Cynics - followers of Diogenes.

*At the tomb of Diogenes in Corinth, a monument was erected in the form of a dog standing on a column.

Quotes and sayings of Diogenes of Sinope:

1. When the philosopher Diogenes needed money, he did not say that he would borrow it from friends; he said that he would ask his friends to repay him.

2. To a man who asked what time he should have breakfast, Diogenes replied: “If you are rich, then when you want, if you are poor, then when you can.”

3. “Poverty itself paves the way to philosophy. What philosophy tries to convince in words, poverty forces us to do in practice.”

4. “Philosophy and medicine have made man the most intelligent of animals, fortune telling and astrology the most insane, superstition and despotism the most unfortunate.”

5. When asked where he was from, Diogenes said: “I am a citizen of the world.”

6. Seeing the gossiping women, Diogenes said: “One viper borrows poison from another.”

7. “Treat nobles like fire: do not stand either very close or very far from them.”

8. When asked at what age one should get married, Diogenes replied: “It’s too early for the young, but it’s too late for the old.”

9. “A backbiter is the most fierce of wild beasts.”

10. “Teaching an old man how to treat a dead man.”

11. “If you give to others, give to me, if not, then start with me.”

12. “When extending your hand to friends, do not clench your fingers into a fist.”

13. “Love is the work of those who have nothing to do.”

14. “Philosophy gives you readiness for any turn of fate.”

15. “Death is not evil, for there is no dishonor in it.”

16. "Be in" good mood- to inflict torment on your envious people.”

17. “Voluptuousness is the occupation of people who are not occupied with anything else.”

18. “Those who keep animals must recognize that they serve the animals rather than the animals serve them.”

19. “In order to live properly, you must have either a mind or a loop.”

20. “The flatterer is the most dangerous of tame animals.”