Thread by @PaulMDomenick

Diogenes "The Dog" Laertius ( c.412 bc - 323 bc )

*Ancient Philosopher
*Cynic
*Elite level Troll
*O.G
*Literally didn't give a sh*t

Let's talk about Diogenes & the lessons we can learn from him

(THREAD)

Diogenes was born in Sinope around the year c.412 bc and was one of the founders of ancient Cynic philosophy. He was called a dog because of his lifestyle.

After being banished from Sinope, for the debasement of currency, he moved to Athens without any material possessions.

The motive behind the debasement of currency in Sinope was political, rather than financial, due to tensions between Pro-Persian and Pro-Greek factions.

Once Diogenes moved to Athens, he began his new life in poverty. He literally lived inside a giant clay jar & begged for food

Upon arriving, Diogenes decided on challeging established customs, traditions and demonstrating full self sufficiency. He said that instead of being troubled by the true nature of evil, people simply rely on customary interpretations of it.

Initially, Diogenes arrived in Athens with his slave named Manes, who abandoned Diogenes shortly after arriving. Diogenes said "If Manes can live without Diogenes, why not Diogenes without Manes?" *This was how Diogenes mocked dependency on other people*

Lesson #1

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One of the ways that he challenged Athenian customs was by eating in the markteplace. It was considered absurd to eat your food right after purchasing it, especially directly in the marketplace.

Diogenes didn't see the big deal, so he went and did it anyway.

At some point, all that Diogenes owned was a wooden bowl, but that was even too much for him one he noticed a boy drinking water with cupped hands. He described the boy as being wiser than he.

He believed that happiness came from within, not from material posession

Lesson #2

After being captured by pirates, while on a sea voyage to Aegina, he was sold as a slave to a Corinthian man.

He was asked what his trade was, Diogenes replied "To govern men". *He also said that he wished to be sold to a man in need of a master.*

Diogenes believed humans were by nature good, but have been confused by fixed cultural conventions & social values. People act like cattle, according to Diogenes, following each other and doing what other cattle do, never breaking free. Never becoming who they could be.

Diogenes would act in ways that were contrary to what was considered normal human behavior

-Walking backwards through crowds
-Entering a theatre after a show had ended
-Asking statues for money

He would do these things to get over the invisble shackles society places on people

Diogenes did this to desensitize himself to what people may think or say. He essentially did all of this to get out of his comfort zone, and encouraged others to do the same. The comfort zone is what society establishes for us.

Do the things that scare you

Lesson #3

One of the most famous stories of Diogenes happens while in Corinth, when Alexander the f*cking Great decides to visit Diogenes.

Alexander walks up & finds Diogenes laying outside of his jar, naked & sunbathing

Alexander tells Diogenes that he is very fond of his work

and that he wishes to grant Diogenes anything he wishes for

Get ready....

Diogenes says "sure, here's what you can do, take three steps to the side, you're blocking my sunlight. Thanks"

Alexander was impressed

Alexander admired Diogenes for the pair of steel balls he displayed in the face of the most powerful man on earth

Alexander said "If I wasn't Alexander, I would like to be Diogenes." Diogenes replied "If i wasn't Diogenes, I'd still want to be Diogenes."

Lesson #4

Diogenes was also an elite level troll

He would frequently interupt Plato's lectures and try to challenge everything that he said, often, changing Plato's stance

Sometimes he would enter the lecture hall & chew food very loudly to try to disturb Plato while speaking

or Diogenes would enter during the lecture, walk up to the front row, take a poop and leave

This is elite level trolling 😂

He would also urintate on people who decided to insult or mock him in public

He simply didn't give a sh*t what people thought

Lessons learned:

1- Remove your dependency on other people

So many people get caught up in thinking that they need the person who decided to leave them. If they can live without you, you can live without them. most importantly, You need YOU

2- Happiness doesn't require material possessions.

I'm not saying throw way all of your material possessions, because that would be absurd. I'm saying that we don't need all that we think we need. We become unhappy when we place a need in anything outside of ourself.

3- Do things that scare you. Don't be affraid to be made fun of or considered weird. Free yourself from social constraints

Do what you want to do, even if you're scared. Don't be affraid to seperate yourself from the herd. Live Your truth. Express yourself authentically

4- Speak Your truth

Speak up in the face of injustice. Speak even if it makes you nervous. Speak even when you know they may not like what you have to say

Diogenes was quite the character, and to be honest, there is much more we can learn from him.

I hope you enjoyed this thread

All feedback is welcome

Pleae RT and comment

Talk soon,
Paul

@threadreaderapp please unroll