DIOGENES - INFLUENCES

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>DIOGENES</FONT><BR> THE CYNIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Influences</B></FONT><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>MICE AND CHILDREN HIS MASTER</B></FONT><BR> Diogenes learned how life should be lived, not from a philosopher master, but from a mouse. Seeking no permanent residence, unafraid of the dark and satisfied with what it could get as food, the mouse was his model. His other teachers were children. Having observed one child drinking out of his hands and another use the hollow part of a morsel of bread to pick up his lentils, he lamented: "A child has beaten me in plainness of living." and cast away his cup and plate. <BR> Although he rejected the intellectual pursuits of other philosophers, he attracted many followers, some of whom became prominent citizens and philosophers.<BR> (Diogenes Laertius VI.37)<P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>DIOGENES AND ALEXANDER</B></FONT><BR> During his lifetime, Diogenes encountered the most powerful of individuals and treated them with scorn. They in turn responded with admiration. When Alexander announced: "I am Alexander, the great king." Diogenes replied: "I am Diogenes the dog", using his nick-name to show his contempt for the titles others valued. Diogenes was consistent in his contempt for the Macedonian monarchy and was rewarded by their admiration for him. Captured and dragged before Philip, he identified himself as "a spy on your insatiable greed" and was released for his audacity. Alexander is quoted as saying that had he not been Alexander, he would have liked to have been Diogenes. <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>