"A Socrates Gone Mad"

Diogenes studied under Antisthenes, who, by the way, hated students. Diogenes took his master’s teachings to heart and went him one better. Being called a dog was not enough for him; he actually lived with a pack of stray dogs.

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), having heard of Diogenes, made a point of meeting him.

Diogenes was sitting on the seashore when the magnificent, handsome young king of Greece and conqueror of the known world rode up on his powerful charger. Looking down on the reclining Cynic, he said:

“I am Alexander the Great.”

“I am Diogenes, the dog,” replied the Cynic.

“The dog?”

“I nuzzle the kind, bark at the greedy, and bite louts.”

“What can I do for you?” asked the Ruler of the World.

“Stand aside, you are blocking my light.”

So impressed was Alexander with the uncompromising character of Diogenes that he later said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”

This sketch is based on material in 

Guy Davenport’s Herakleitos and 

Diogenes  (San Francisco: Grey Fox 

Press, 1979), pp. 35-37

The Union of Opposites. (Lao-tzu)

We look at it and do not see it;

   Its name is The Invisible.

We listen to it and do not hear it;

   Its name is The Inaudible.

We touch it and do not find it;

   Its name is The Subtle (formless).

These three cannot be further inquired into,

   And hence merge into one.

Going up high, it is not bright,

   And coming down low, it is not dark.

Infinite and boundless, it cannot be given any name;

   It reverts to nothingness…

It is The Vague and Elusive.

   When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty,

There arises the recognition of ugliness.

   When they all know the good as good,

There arises the recognition of evil.

Therefore:

Bring and non-being produces each other;

   Difficult and easy complete each other;

Long and short contrast each other;

   High and low distinguish each other;

Sound and voice harmonize with each other;

   Front and back follow each other.

Lao-tzu.

Tao Te Ching, in Wing-Tsit Chan,

Trans. And comp. A Source Book  in Chinese Philosophy.