Not wanting something is as good as having it

“Alexander and Diogenes” by Gaetano Gandolfi, 1792

I listened to the Modern Wisdom podcast on my drive to the coffee shop today, episode #922 – Naval Ravikant – 44 Harsh Truths About Human Nature, early in the episode, they mentioned the meeting between Diogenes and Alexander the Great at the marketplace. The story has been depicted in various artworks (which you can view at the Royal Collection Trust or on JSTOR) and is still discussed today.

Alexander the Great, the wealthiest man at the time, clad in rich armor, met with Diogenes, a philosopher who had minimal requirements for living. Diogenes lived in a tub between the marketplace stalls, begged for a living, and was known for moving with a lamp to search for an honest person in the market.

The story is told as follows:

Alexander the Great came to visit Diogenes. Many statesmen and philosophers also joined in to visit Alexander with their congratulations, souvenirs, offerings.

The Great Conqueror expected that Diogenes also who was living in Corinth, would also do likewise and be excited to show up for the meeting. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and approached him in person near the tub where he lived.

When Alexander arrived, he found Diogenes lying in the sun. A mob of statesmen, soldiers, and royal commanders approached Diogenes. He raised himself up and looked at the royal procession headed by Alexander. Diogenes fixed his glance upon the distinguished-looking Alexander, starring in his one blue and one black eye. The monarch greeted him with awesome respect and asked if he wanted any special royal favor to be granted, “Yes,” said the eminent philosopher Diogenes to the Alexander, “Stand a little out of my sun.”

So struck was Alexander by this reply that he moved out in silence. The emperor admired the sincere hauteur and opulence of the poor man who had nothing but disdain for him and his royal treasures. While walking down with his followers, who were laughing and joking about the philosopher’s reply, Alexander in a profound, proud tone answered to them,

“But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”
source from: https://icreate-harshada.medium.com/stand-a-little-out-of-my-sun-alexander-and-diogenes-f5550fbe831f
Originally published at https://harshadapathare.com on September 19, 2013.

The first time I heard about this story was in PewDiePie’s video about his house being robbed when he was away, and it stuck with me since then. I was reminded of that story again today in connection with the idea that “not wanting something is as good as having it.”

What do you think of Diogenes and his extreme way of living? How do you define wealth and success?

“Alexander and Diogenes” by Gaetano Gandolfi, 1792

The story is told as follows:

Alexander the Great came to visit Diogenes. Many statesmen and philosophers also joined in to visit Alexander with their congratulations, souvenirs, offerings.

The Great Conqueror expected that Diogenes also who was living in Corinth, would also do likewise and be excited to show up for the meeting. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and approached him in person near the tub where he lived.

When Alexander arrived, he found Diogenes lying in the sun. A mob of statesmen, soldiers, and royal commanders approached Diogenes. He raised himself up and looked at the royal procession headed by Alexander. Diogenes fixed his glance upon the distinguished-looking Alexander, starring in his one blue and one black eye. The monarch greeted him with awesome respect and asked if he wanted any special royal favor to be granted, “Yes,” said the eminent philosopher Diogenes to the Alexander, “Stand a little out of my sun.”

So struck was Alexander by this reply that he moved out in silence. The emperor admired the sincere hauteur and opulence of the poor man who had nothing but disdain for him and his royal treasures. While walking down with his followers, who were laughing and joking about the philosopher’s reply, Alexander in a profound, proud tone answered to them,

“But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”
source from: https://icreate-harshada.medium.com/stand-a-little-out-of-my-sun-alexander-and-diogenes-f5550fbe831f
Originally published at https://harshadapathare.com on September 19, 2013.

What do you think of Diogenes and his extreme way of living? How do you define wealth and success?

“Alexander and Diogenes” by Gaetano Gandolfi, 1792

The story is told as follows:

Alexander the Great came to visit Diogenes. Many statesmen and philosophers also joined in to visit Alexander with their congratulations, souvenirs, offerings.

The Great Conqueror expected that Diogenes also who was living in Corinth, would also do likewise and be excited to show up for the meeting. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and approached him in person near the tub where he lived.

When Alexander arrived, he found Diogenes lying in the sun. A mob of statesmen, soldiers, and royal commanders approached Diogenes. He raised himself up and looked at the royal procession headed by Alexander. Diogenes fixed his glance upon the distinguished-looking Alexander, starring in his one blue and one black eye. The monarch greeted him with awesome respect and asked if he wanted any special royal favor to be granted, “Yes,” said the eminent philosopher Diogenes to the Alexander, “Stand a little out of my sun.”

So struck was Alexander by this reply that he moved out in silence. The emperor admired the sincere hauteur and opulence of the poor man who had nothing but disdain for him and his royal treasures. While walking down with his followers, who were laughing and joking about the philosopher’s reply, Alexander in a profound, proud tone answered to them,

“But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”
source from: https://icreate-harshada.medium.com/stand-a-little-out-of-my-sun-alexander-and-diogenes-f5550fbe831f
Originally published at https://harshadapathare.com on September 19, 2013.

What do you think of Diogenes and his extreme way of living? How do you define wealth and success?

binh

life • thoughts

life •

life •