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30 Famous Diogenes Quotes To Inspire You

30 Famous Diogenes Quotes To Inspire You

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Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who helped form the Cynic school of thought. This school of thought advocated for stoic self-sufficiency and eschewed luxury. Despite his humble beginnings, philosopher Diogenes achieved widespread renown due to his engaging personality and insightful writings.

Here are the best diogenes quotes and saying to motivate you.

Diogenes Quotes About Life

“Aristotle was once asked what those who tell lies gain by it. Said he – That when they speak truth they are not believed.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“Virtue cannot dwell with wealth either in a city or in a house.” – Diogenes of Sinope

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.

One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings.

Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?

I pissed on the man who called me a dog. Why was he so surprised?

It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.

If only it was as easy to banish hunger by rubbing the belly as it is to masturbate.

Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.

It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours.

He has the most who is most content with the least.

“I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking from his hands at the trough.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“There is only a finger’s difference between a wise man and a fool.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“I have nothing to ask but that you would remove to the other side, that you may not, by intercepting the sunshine, take from me what you cannot give.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“The only way to gall and fret effectively is for yourself to be a good and honest man.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.” – Diogenes of Sinope

“We come into the world alone and we die alone. Why, in life, should we be any less alone?” – Diogenes of Sinope

Education gives sobriety to the young, comfort to the old, riches to the poor and is an ornament to the rich.

You will become a teacher of yourself when for the same things that you blame others, you also blame yourself.

If I gained one thing from philosophy is that at the very least, I am well prepared to confront any change in fortune.

We come into the world alone and we die alone. Why, in life, should we be any less alone?

Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.

As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.

Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music.

The only way to gall and fret effectively is for yourself to be a good and honest man.

I am searching for the bones of your father [Alexander the Great‘s father] but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave.

Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.

I have nothing to ask but that you would remove to the other side, that you may not, by intercepting the sunshine, take from me what you cannot give.