The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. II.

How he lived at Athens.

COming to Athens, saith Laertius, he apply'd himselfe to An∣tisthenes, following the Cynicall Philosophy instituted by him.a 1.1 Antisthenes having invited many to hear him, and but few coming, at last in anger would not suffer any to come to him, and therefore bad Diogenes be gone also. Diogenes continuing to come frequently, he chid and threatned him, and at last struck him with his staffe: Diogenes would not go back, but persisting still in his desire of hearing him, said, Strike if you will, here is my head, you cannot ••inde a staffe hard enough to drive me from you, untill you have instructed me. Antisthenes overcome with his perseverance, admitted him, and made him his intimate friend. From that time forward he heard him.

Some affirm, saith Laertius, he first wore a double Cloak, upon which he used to lie [at night:] He likewise carried a wallet, wherein was his meat. He made use of all places for all things, dining, sleeping and discoursing in any place, insomuch that pointing to Iupiter's walke, and the Pompaeum, two publick places at Athens, he said, the Athenians built them for his dwelling. Falling once sick, he walked with a staffe, which afterwards he continually used, as likewise a wallet, not in the City, but when he travelled. He wrote to one to build him a little house, which the other not doing so soon as he required, he made use of a Tub in the Metroum to live in, as he declareth in his Epistles. In Sum∣mer he used to roule in the burning Sand, in Winter, to embrace statues covered with Snow, accustoming himselfe continually to sufferance.b 1.2 A Lacedaemonian seeing him in this posture in the depth of Winter, asked him if he were not a cold; Diogenes said, he was not: What you do then, reply'd the other, is no great matter.

At first he used to beg, of which there are many instances: He one time begged of a man thus, If you have given to others, give also to me? if to none, begin with me?

c 1.3 Another time he begged of a Statue, whereof being deman∣ded the reason, That I may the better, saith he, bear a refusall.

He requested something of a covetous person, who delaying to give; Man, saith he, I ask you 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, food, not a grave.

He requested something of a person very obdurate, who an∣swered yes, if you can perswade me to it; Nay, replyed he, if I were able to perswade you to any thing, it should have been to have hang'd your selfe.

Of a Prodigall he begged a Mina; the other asked why he

begged a Mina of him, and of others but an Obolus: Because, saith he, I hope to receive of others again; but whether I shall ever have any more of you, the Gods know.

Being reproach'd that Plato begged not, but he begged: Yes, saith he, he beggeth too; but,

Close in your ear, Lest others hear.

d 1.4 Having received some little mony from Dionysius the Cary∣sian, he said,

The Gods afford thee thy desire, A man and house—

Alluding to his effeminacy.

e 1.5 For this reason he said, the imprecations of Tragedians concur∣red in him, for he was without any City, without a house, de∣priv'd of his Country, a begger, a vagabond, having his lively∣hood only from day to day. And yet, addesf 1.6 Aelian, he was more pleased with this condition, then Alexander with the command of the whole world, when having conquer'd the Indians, he re∣turned to Babylon.

g 1.7 Seeing a Mouse, as Theophrastus saith, running up and down, he thence took occasion of comfort, considering it a creature that looked not for lodging, and was not displeased with darknesse, nor nice, as to diet.

He walked in the snow bare-foot, and tri'd to eat raw flesh, but could not.

He said, he imitated singing-Masters, who raise their voice too high, thereby to teach others the just tone.

The Athenians loved him much, for a youth having bor'd holes in his Tubbe, they punish'd him, and gave Diogenes a new one.

He used to perform the offices of Ceres and Venus in publick, arguing thus; if it be not absurd to dine, it is not absurd to dine even in the market-place; but, it is not absurd to dine, therefore it is not absurd to dine even in the market-place.

h 1.8 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the publick Forum; I would, saith he, I could as easily satisfie my hunger.

i 1.9 As he dined in the Forum, some that were present called him Dog; Nay, saith he, you are Dogs that stand about me when I am at dinner.

Being reproached for feeding in the open Forum; In the Forum, saith he, I grew hungry,

Being reproached that he drunk in a victualling house; And in a Barbers shop, saith he, I am shaved.

He lived without any servant; Being demanded by one whether he would have a maid-servant, or a man, he said▪ neither; who then, answer'd the other, shall carry you out to your grave when you die? Diogenes reply'd, hee that wants a house?

Notes

• a 1.1

  Aelian. var. Hist. 10. 16.
• b 1.2

  Plut▪
• c 1.3

  Laert.
• d 1.4

  Aelian. var. Hist. 4. 27.
• e 1.5

  Laert.
• f 1.6

  Var. hist. 3. 29.
• g 1.7

  Laert.
• h 1.8

  Laert. It is explained by Plutarch, de rep. Stoic.
• i 1.9

  Laert.