A Lesson from Diogenes
In the seminary I was required to take one year of Greek, because the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. Our professor often spoke of the famous Greek philosophers, poets and scholars; with household names like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Sophocles, Heraclitus and others. I also learned of another ancient Greek individual, who is less known but he has a luminous message for our modern-day world. His name is Diogenes.
He was born on southern border of the Black Sea about 412 B.C., and lived most his life in Athens. He belonged to the Cynic School of Philosophy, which required members to possess moral excellence, self-discipline, and frugality of a very simple lifestyle. Diogenes excelled beyond others to become an extremist in those praiseworthy virtues. He lived in a small, primitive shelter and walked the streets barefooted, often denouncing riches and honors. He encouraged others to pursue a virtuous, simple and honest life.
Known by his wit, he carried a lantern in broad daylight, and held it aloft, saying he was looking for an honest man. He left no writings but left posterity a positive, powerful example of his ethical and public-spirited lifestyle. He tried to convince people to live a simpler life; instead of constantly seeking more money, more possessions and more honors to boost and boast of one’s self-importance.
The Person of Jesus
Had Diogenes been able to live in later centuries, his trusty lantern would have shown him an honest man, in the person of Jesus, as he taught by word and example, the values of a humble and fulfilled life. In his simplicity, Jesus, said he had no place to rest his head. Both Jesus and Diogenes would agree about essentials verses luxuries; as it has been pointed out today that the earth can supply all our need, but not all our greed.
I understand this ancient Stoic seer living in an extreme manner to demonstrate tranquility can be found by liberating ourselves from the heavy, unnecessary, anxiety-filled baggage we carry around each day.
Diogenes and Alexander
I will give this one further incident in his colorful story. Diogenes was a contemporary of Aristotle and Alexander the Great. On one occasion Alexander came to visit Diogenes when he was lying on a cloth sunning himself. The famous general asked if he could do anything for him. Diogenes replied: “Well, you could just step aside from blocking the sunlight.” Alexander is supposed to have said: “If I were not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes.”
Alexander the Great conquered and controlled a vast area of the world when he died in Babylon. By contrast, Diogenes calmly fulfilled his personal life, then died in Corinth. They both died the same year, in 323 B.C., when Alexander was 32 and Diogenes was 89. By what standard do we decide who is the greatest?
The brilliant sixteenth century artist, Leonard da Vinci, comments:
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
