RE: Why I am a European
June 26, 2016 at 11:16 am
(This post was last modified: June 26, 2016 at 11:21 am by Edwardo Piet.)
(June 25, 2016 at 1:48 pm)pocaracas Wrote: I am a citizen of the world. (where have I heard this before?)
I often say I am a citizen of the world.
Oh, and it's by the original Cynic, the ancient Greek Diogenes who Alexander the Great looked up to. It's often misquoted as Socrates though.
It is said that Alexander the Great once asked if there was anything that he, a ruler of the world could do for Diogenes:
Wikipedia Wrote:According to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and asked him what he desired. According to the version recounted by Diogenes Laërtius, Diogenes replied "Stand out of my light." Plutarch provides a longer version of the story:
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."
From the Wikipedia article about Alexander and Diogenes.
Europe Endless:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqGsi9k6ra0
My favorite Kraftwerk song.
ETA:
Wikipedia Wrote:Diogenes of Sinope was a controversial figure. His father minted coins for a living, and when Diogenes took to debasement of currency, he was banished from Sinope. After being exiled, he moved to Athens and criticized many cultural conventions of the city. Diogenes modelled himself on the example of Heracles. He believed that virtue was better revealed in action than in theory. He used his simple lifestyle and behaviour to criticize the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt or at least confused society. In a highly non-traditional fashion, he had a reputation of sleeping and eating wherever he chose and took to toughening himself against nature. He declared himself a cosmopolitan and a citizen of the world rather than claiming allegiance to just one place.
From the Wikipedia article on Diogenes of Sinope
