Diogenes of Sinope quotes

Diogenes of Sinope was an ancient Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. His provocative actions and sharp wit challenged conventional social values and norms in Athens. He became famous for his ascetic lifestyle and for famously searching for an honest man with a lantern in broad daylight. Here are 72 of his quotes:

Asked where he came from, he said, "I am a citizen of the world." (Diogenes of Sinope)

Being asked where in Greece he saw good men, he replied, "'Good men nowhere, but good boys at Sparta."

Diogenes of Sinope

Perdiccas threatened to put him to death unless he came to him, "That's nothing wonderful," Diogenes said, "for a beetle or a tarantula would do the same."

Diogenes of Sinope

He was breakfasting in the marketplace, and the bystanders gathered round him with cries of "dog." "It is you who are dogs," cried he, "when you stand round and watch me at my breakfast."

Diogenes of Sinope

Virtue cannot dwell with wealth either in a city or in a house.

Diogenes of Sinope

When the slave auctioneer asked in what he was proficient, he replied, "In ruling people."

Diogenes of Sinope

Self-taught poverty is a help toward philosophy, for the things which philosophy attempts to teach by reasoning, poverty forces us to practice.

Diogenes of Sinope

To Xeniades, who had purchased Diogenes at the slave market, he said, "Come, see that you obey orders."

Diogenes of Sinope

Boasting, like gilded armour, is very different inside from outside.

Diogenes of Sinope

If you are to be kept right, you must possess either good friends or red-hot enemies. The one will warn you, the other will expose you.

Diogenes of Sinope

It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours. (Diogenes of Sinope)

The noblest people are those despising wealth, learning, pleasure and life; esteeming above them poverty, ignorance, hardship and death.

Diogenes of Sinope

No man is hurt but by himself.

Diogenes of Sinope

When some one reminded him that the people of Sinope had sentenced him to exile, he said, "And I sentenced them to stay at home."

Diogenes of Sinope

Poverty is a virtue which one can teach oneself.

Diogenes of Sinope

He once begged alms of a statue, and, when asked why he did so, replied, "To get practice in being refused."

Diogenes of Sinope

One day, observing a child drinking out of his hands, he cast away the cup from his wallet with the words, "A child has beaten me in plainness of living."

Diogenes of Sinope

He lit a lamp in broad daylight and said, as he went about, "I am looking for a human."

Diogenes of Sinope

To the question what wine he found pleasant to drink, he replied, "That for which other people pay."

Diogenes of Sinope

When Alexander the Great addressed him with greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, Diogenes replied "Yes, stand a little out of my sunshine."

Diogenes of Sinope

Once he saw the officials of a temple leading away some one who had stolen a bowl belonging to the treasurers, and said, "The great thieves are leading away the little thief." (Diogenes of Sinope)

The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.

Diogenes of Sinope

He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, "A spy upon your insatiable greed."

Diogenes of Sinope

When some one boasted that at the Pythian games he had vanquished men, Diogenes replied, "Nay, I defeat men, you defeat slaves."

Diogenes of Sinope

Aristotle dines when it seems good to King Philip, but Diogenes when he himself pleases.

Diogenes of Sinope

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Diogenes of Sinope

Diogenes of Sinope - Image

Occupation: Greek Philosopher
Born: 412 BC
Died: 323 BC
Quotes count: 72
Wikipedia: Diogenes of Sinope

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