Diogenes of Sinope
Happiness comes from trained virtue and a life cut down to what nature asks, far from conventions and riches.
Life
Greek Cynic philosopher (Sinope about 412 - Corinth about 323 BCE). Exiled from his city, he lived in Athens and then Corinth, poor and homeless, and made his life a lesson: live according to nature, do without the superfluous, speak frankly. None of his writings survives: his sayings and anecdotes come from late testimonies, chiefly Diogenes Laertius (book VI), and their accuracy is not guaranteed.
In his own words
« Asked where he came from, he said, 'I am a citizen of the world.' »
ἐρωτηθεὶς πόθεν εἴη, κοσμοπολίτης, ἔφη.
« Asked what is most beautiful among men, he said, 'Freedom of speech.' »
Ἐρωτηθεὶς τί κάλλιστον ἐν ἀνθρώποις, ἔφη, παρρησία.
« Alexander stood over him as he was sunning himself and said, 'Ask of me what you wish.' And he said, 'Stand out of my light.' »
ἐν τῷ Κρανείῳ ἡλιουμένῳ αὐτῷ Ἀλέξανδρος ἐπιστάς φησιν, αἴτησόν με ὃ θέλεις. καὶ ὅς, ἀποσκότησόν μου, φησί.
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceTraining (askesis) of body and soul in self-sufficiency is the way to happiness.
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers VI (3rd c. CE)
The gods made human life easy, and people complicate it; a life by nature can be lived well.
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers VI (3rd c. CE)
He calls himself a citizen of the world and rejects the city's conventions in favor of a free individual life.
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers VI (3rd c. CE)