DIOGENES the Cynic, a famous philosopher, was the son of a banker of Sinope in Pontus. Being banished with his father for coming false money, he retired to Athens, where he studied philosophy under Antisthenes. He added new degrees of austerity to the sect of the Cynics, and never did any philosopher carry so far a contempt for the conveniences of life. He was one of those extraordinary men who run every thing to extremity, without excepting even reason itself; and who confirm the saying, that "there is no great genius without a tincture of madness." He lodged in a tub; and had no other moveables besides his staff, wallet and wooden bowl, which last he threw away on seeing a boy drink out of the hollow of his hand. He used to call himself a vagabond, who had neither house nor country; was obliged to beg, was ill clothed, and lived from hand to mouth; and yet, says Ælian, he took as much pride in these things as Alexander could in the conquest of the world. He was indeed not a jot more humble than those who are clothed in rich apparel, and fare sumptuously every day. He looked down on all the world with scorn; he magnanimously censured all mankind, and thought himself unquestionably superior to all other philosophers. Alexander one day paid him a visit, and made him an offer of riches or any thing else; but all that the philosopher requested of him was, to stand from betwixt the sun and him. As if he had said, "Do not deprive me of the benefits of nature, and I leave to you those of fortune." The conqueror was so affected with the vigour and elevation of his soul, as to declare, that "if he was not Alexander, he would choose to be Diogenes;" that is, if he was not in possession of all that was pompous and splendid in life, he would, like Diogenes, heroically despise it. Diogenes had great presence of mind, as appears from his smart saying and quick repartees; and Plato seems to have hit off his true character when he called him a Socrates run mad. He spent a great part of his life at Corinth, and the reason of his living there was as follows; as he was going over to the island Ægina, he was taken by pirates, who carried him into Crete, and there exposed him to sale. He answered the crier who asked him what he could do, that "he knew how to command men;" and perceiving a Corinthian who was going by, he shewed him to the crier, and said "Sell me to that gentleman, for he wants a master." Xenides, for that was the Corinthian's name, bought Diogenes, and carried him with him to Corinth. He appointed him tutor to his children, and intrusted him also with the management of his house. Diogenes's friends being desirous to redeem him, "You are fools (said he); the lions are not the slaves of those who feed them, but they are the servants of the lions." He therefore
therefore plainly told Xenides, that he ought to obey him, as people obey their governors and physicians. Some say, that Diogenes spent the remainder of his life in Xenides's family; but Dion Chrysostom asserts that he passed the winter at Athens, and the summer at Corinth. He died at Corinth when he was about 93 years old: but authors are not agreed either as to the time or manner of his death. The following account, Jerome says, is the true one. As he was going to the Olympic games, a fever seized him in the way; upon which he lay down under a tree, and refused the assistance of those who accompanied him, and who offered him either a horse or a chariot. "Go you to the games (says he), and leave me to contend with my illness. If I conquer, I will follow you; if I am conquered, I shall go to the shades below." He despatched himself that very night; saying, that "he did not so properly die, as get rid of his fever." He had for his disciples Onesicritus, Phocion, Stilpo of Megara, and several other great men. His works are lost.