Diogenes Quotes

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.

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

Modesty is the color of virtue.

Why not whip the teacher when the pupil misbehaves?

The art of being a slave is to rule one’s master.

No man is hurt but by himself.

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

The most beautiful thing in the world is freedom of speech.

One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings

Fools! You think of “god” as a sentient being. God is the word used to represent a force. This force created nothing, it just helps things along. It does not answer prayers, although it may make you think of a way to solve a problem. It has the power to influence you, but not decide for you.

I know nothing, except the fact of my ignorance.

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

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.

Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them.

The sun too penetrates into privies, but is not polluted by them.

I am called a dog because I fawn on those who give me anything, I yelp at those who refuse, and I set my teeth in rascals.