# Diogenes of Sinope — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Diogenes of Sinope in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** The wise Diogenes, O Diogenes, Diogenes of Apollonia

**First appearance:** 0055-diogenes

## Snapshot

The exiled coin-forger who made a barrel his house and rudeness his philosophy, shaming Athens into seeing its own pretensions.

## Who they are

Diogenes of Sinope arrives in Athens as a fugitive — his father ran the public bank and adulterated the coinage — and attaches himself to Antisthenes with such pertinacity that even a raised stick cannot drive him off. He sleeps in a cask, doubles his cloak, carries a wallet, and answers the world's comforts with a mouse's example of needing nothing. His shamelessness is the engine of the Cynic succession, the living proof that virtue can be performed without argument, and the direct ancestor of Zeno's Stoicism.

## In the story

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-ii)

Insulted Aristippus for serving a tyrant; contrasted his own simple life with Aristippus's luxury.

### [Aristippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/aristippus)

Called Aristippus 'the king's dog' and engaged in a famous exchange about washing vegetables versus serving a tyrant.

### [Book IV: The Successors of Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-iv)

Appears briefly, mocking Speusippus for enduring life despite his paralysis.

### [Speusippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/speusippus)

Exchanged a harsh greeting with Speusippus, criticizing his endurance of life in a paralyzed state.

### [Book VI: The Cynics and the Rise of Stoicism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-vi)

Prominent Cynic; lived in a tub; rejected liberal studies; emphasized virtue and self-sufficiency; said 'the peculiar property of the Gods to want nothing'; influenced by Antisthenes.

### [Antisthenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/antisthenes)

Visited Antisthenes during his illness, offering a sword as a means to end suffering.

### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/diogenes)

The central figure of the chapter, known for his Cynic philosophy, sharp wit, and ascetic lifestyle.

### [Monimus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/monimus)

Monimus's teacher; his excellence inspired Monimus to become his pupil.

### [Onesicritus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/onesicritus)

Teacher of Onesicritus and several other pupils mentioned in the chapter.

### [Crates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/crates)

Mentioned as a fellow countryman of Crates and as the one who persuaded him to discard his estate.

### [Menedemus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/menedemus)

Cynic philosopher cited for his sayings and lifestyle, including living in a tub and his view that wanting nothing makes one like the Gods.

### [Book VII: The Stoic Doctrine of Virtue and Indifferents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-vii)

Cynic philosopher cited alongside Zeno and Chrysippus for the doctrine of community of women.

### [Diogenes of Apollonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/diogenes-of-apollonia)

Native of Apollonia, son of Apollothemis, natural philosopher and pupil of Anaximenes, contemporary of Anaxagoras, unpopular at Athens.

### [Book X: Epicurus and the Pursuit of Pleasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-x)

Cited as a source for Epicurean doctrines, particularly in the Select Discourses.

### [Epicurus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/epicurus)

Cited as a source for Epicurean doctrines, e.g., in his Select Discourses and epitome.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/diogenes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters