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[–] 132 points 3 years ago* (8 children)

Supposedly Alexander the Great went to visit Diogenes in a suburb of Corinth to see what his deal was. When Alexander asked if Diogenes wanted anything from him, Diogenes reported replied “yes, move, you’re blocking the sun.”

Afterwards, Alexander was so amused and impressed that he’s quoted as saying “it I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes.”

Fucking awesome.

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  • [–] 107 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I seem to recall Diogenes replied:

    Likewise: if I were not Diogenes I too would wish I were Diogenes

    I mean it's all probably made up but what a guy.

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  • [–] 25 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Dude straight up told the most powerful man of his time to fuck off.

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  • [–] 22 points 3 years ago

    Diogenes didn't exactly tell him to fuck off, it was more that he made a request for him to move over as if Alexander was literally any other man on Earth. An equal. Which arguably is more insulting as I'm sure Alexander's enemies often told him to fuck off, but this was the first time he was requested to stand aside by a dude known to publically masturbate.

    Later, Alexander found Diogenes picking at the bones of a long dead servant, and when Alexander inquired as to what Diogenes was doing, Diogenes replied that he was trying find the difference between these bones and the bones of Alexander's father. Zero fucks given because in the end we are all bones.

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  • [–] 14 points 3 years ago

    A song I sang in high school choir, written by Rick Sowash:

    The philosopher Diogenes lived in a tub in the marketplace. He owned the clothes on his back and a wooden cup. One fine morning, when he saw a man drinking out of his hands, he threw away the cup. Alexander the Great, when he came to Athens, he went down to the market place to see the philosopher Diogenes. As he was about to leave, he asked the philosopher Diogenes, “is there anything at all that I can do for you?” “Yes,” said Diogenes, “you can get out of my light.”

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