Diogenes was a famous Greek philosopher of the fourth century B.C., who established the philosophy of cynicism. He often walked about in the daytime holding a lighted lantern, peering around as if he were looking for something. When questioned about his odd behavior, he would reply," I am searching for an honest man."

Diogenes held that the good man was self-sufficient and did not require material comforts or wealth. He believed that wealth and possessions constrained humanity's natural state of freedom. In keeping with his philosophy, he was perfectly satisfied with making his home in a large tub discarded from the temple of Cybele, the goddess of nature.

This earthen tub, called a pithos, and formerly been used for holding wine or oil for the sacrifices at the temple.

One day, Alexander the Great, conqueror of half the civilized world, saw Diogenes sitting in this tub in the sunshine. So the king, surrounded by his countries, approached Diogenes and said," I am Alexander the Great." The philosopher replied rather contemptuously," I am Diogenes, the Cynic." Alexander then asked him if he could help him in any way." Yes," shot back Diogenes," don't stand between me and the sun." A surprised Alexander then replied quickly,” If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."

提奧奇尼斯是公元前四世紀(jì)一位著名的希臘哲學(xué)家,就是他創(chuàng)立了犬儒派哲學(xué)。他經(jīng)常在白天點著燈籠四處走動、張望，像是在找什么東西似的。哪人們問起他這古怪行為時，他會回答說：“我正在尋找正人君子。”

提奧奇尼斯認(rèn)為好人是自給自足的，不需要物質(zhì)享受和財富。他認(rèn)為財富、財產(chǎn)束縛了人們天生的自由狀態(tài)。與他的哲學(xué)相一致，他拿一個從別人從自然之母的廟里丟棄的大壇作為自己的家，還對此萬分滿意。這個陶制的大壇叫做圣壇，過去在廟里是用來盛裝祭祀用的酒和油的。一天，征服了半個文明世界的亞歷山大大帝看見提奧奇尼斯坐在大壇里曬太陽。于是這位君主在大臣們的簇?fù)硐伦哌^去，對提奧奇尼斯說：“我是亞歷山大大帝。”哲學(xué)家相當(dāng)傲慢地回答說：“我是提奧奇尼斯――――犬儒學(xué)者。”然后亞歷山大問他是否需要任何幫助。“是的”，提奧奇尼斯駁回道，“別站在我和太陽之間。”大吃一驚的亞歷山大繼而迅速回答道：“假如我不是亞歷山大，我就會是提奧奇尼斯。”