Diogenes of Sinope

“A man asks Diogenes:

- Are the people in Athens good ?

Diogenes replies:

- How are the people where you come from ? 

The man says:

- They are bad.

Diogenes concludes:

- Well, here too, they are bad.

Later, another man asks Diogenes the same question:

- Are the people in Athens good ?

Diogenes repeats his usual question: 

- How are the people where you come from ?

This time, the man responds: 

- They are good and kind.

Diogenes concludes:

- Well, here too, they are good and kind.”

(In Diogenes' straightforward responses lies a profound lesson about the relativity of our judgments and perceptions. Through this duality of responses, Diogenes invites us to consider that our worldview is often a reflection of our own inner perspective.

The cynical philosopher urges us to contemplate the filters through which we perceive reality. By acknowledging the subjectivity of our experiences, Diogenes reminds us that our opinions about others are often tinted by our own biases and personal experiences.

Thus, in the duality of Diogenes' responses lies the wisdom to recognize the complexity of humanity and the relativity of virtue. Perhaps he encourages us to transcend our quick judgments and adopt a more nuanced view of the world, where goodness and wickedness coexist, often shaped by the mirror of our own perceptions.

Ultimately, Diogenes teaches us that the pursuit of wisdom begins with questioning our own certainties and exploring the nuances of the human soul.)

Painting by Sebastiano Ricci

Translated from ancient Greek

Illustration by Laurent Guidali

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