Diogenes

Cynic philosopher

Ancient influential 91 sayings

Sayings by Diogenes

I have no need of a house, for the whole world is my home.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his rejection of conventional living and embrace of nature.
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The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.

c. 350 BCE — Quoted by Diogenes Laërtius
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The greatest pleasure in life is to do what people say you cannot do.

c. 350 BCE — Attributed, reflects his rebellious and unconventional nature.
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He who has most, desires most.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his criticism of material wealth and insatiable desires.
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It is better to be a dog than a flatterer.

c. 350 BCE — Quoted by Diogenes Laërtius
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I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his minimalist philosophy.
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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

c. 350 BCE — Attributed, though a common proverb, often associated with his wisdom.
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The most valuable thing in life is a good friend.

c. 350 BCE — Attributed, reflects the importance of genuine connection despite his misanthropy.
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The only true riches are those of the soul.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his anti-materialistic stance.
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I am a philosopher to the extent that I despise pleasure.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his asceticism and rejection of hedonism.
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The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

c. 350 BCE — Attributed, a more conventional wisdom often given to him.
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He asked for a cup of water, and seeing a child drink from his hands, he threw away his cup.

c. 350 BCE — An anecdote from Diogenes Laërtius illustrating his extreme minimalism.
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I would rather be mad than feel pleasure.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his extreme asceticism and rejection of sensual gratification.
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The only way to be truly free is to be indifferent to the world.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his Cynic philosophy of apathy towards external circumstances.
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It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.

c. 350 BCE — Quoted by Diogenes Laërtius
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I piss on the world.

c. 350 BCE — A vulgar but characteristic expression of his disdain for societal norms, often paraphrased in more …
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You will find me in the marketplace, looking for a man.

c. 350 BCE — A variation of his famous 'looking for a man' quote.
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He once saw a boy drinking water out of his hands, and immediately threw away the cup which he carried attached to his wallet, saying, 'A boy has beaten me in plainness of living.'

c. 350 BCE — An anecdote from Diogenes Laërtius, highlighting his extreme asceticism.
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The only way to be happy is to not care about happiness.

c. 350 BCE — Reflects his Cynic philosophy of seeking freedom from desire and external goods.
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I am a hound of heaven.

c. 350 BCE — Refers to his role as a critic and challenger of societal norms, like a dog barking at injustice.
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