Sublime

a student of Antisthenes and went on to become the most famous Cynic. In defense of simple living, Diogenes observed that “the gods had given to men the means of living easily, but this had been put out of sight, because we require honeyed cakes, unguents and the like.” Such is the madness of men, he said, that they choose to be miserable when they

The teaching of Diogenes was by no means what we now call “cynical”—quite the contrary. He had an ardent passion for “virtue,” in comparison with which he held worldly goods of no account.

le cynisme n’est pas seulement une thérapie personnelle, c’est une pensée plus radicale. C’est une critique de la civilisation, de la morale sociale et des valeurs économiques. Diogène était un clochard. Il vivait dans un tonneau, au milieu de l’agora, et tout ce qu’il possédait, c’était une toge en loques. Il se nourrissait d’ordures et des restes

Pour Gérardine le magnifique ! Gérardine n'avait jamais un sou et ne mendiait jamais. Il se faisait offrir à manger et à boire par les étudiants qui l'aimaient. Il les payait en souvenirs sur les poètes maudits avec lesquels il s'était enivré autrefois. On disait qu'il avait un titre de marquis et qu'il avait, trente ans plus tôt, distribué sa

DIOGENES The philosopher Diogenes was eating bread and lentils for supper. He was seen by the philosopher Aristippus, who lived comfortably by flattering the king. Said Aristippus, “If you would learn to be subservient to the king you would not have to live on lentils” Said Diogenes, “Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to cultivate the

WHEN YOU GIVE ALMS, DO NOT LET YOUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS DOING. —MATTHEW 6:3

a student of Antisthenes and went on to become the most famous Cynic. In defense of simple living, Diogenes observed that “the gods had given to men the means of living easily, but this had been put out of sight, because we require honeyed cakes, unguents and the like.” Such is the madness of men, he said, that they choose to be miserable when they

Diogenes,