Diogenes and Alexander
Thereupon many statesmen and philosophers came
to Alexander with their congratulations, and he expected that Diogenes of
Sinope also, who was tarrying in Corinth,
would do likewise. But since that philosopher took not the slightest
notice of Alexander, and continued to enjoy his leisure in the suburb Craneion,
Alexander went in person to see him; and he found him lying in the sun. Diogenes
raised himself up a little when he saw so many people coming towards him, and
fixed his eyes upon Alexander. And when that monarch addressed him with
greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, "Yes," said Diogenes,
"stand a little out of my sun." It is said that Alexander was so
struck by this, and admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who
had nothing but scorn for him, that he said to his followers, who were laughing
and jesting about the philosopher as they went away, "But truly, if I were
not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."
No comments:
Post a Comment