John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 949
| Diogenes Laërtius. (fl. early 3d cent.) (continued) |
| 9144 |
| When he was praised by some wicked men, he said, “I am sadly afraid that I must have done some wicked thing.” 1 |
| Antisthenes. iv. |
| 9145 |
| When asked what learning was the most necessary, he said, “Not to unlearn what you have learned.” |
| Antisthenes. iv. |
| 9146 |
| Diogenes would frequently praise those who were about to marry, and yet did not marry. |
| Diogenes. iv. |
| 9147 |
| “Bury me on my face,” said Diogenes; and when he was asked why, he replied, “Because in a little while everything will be turned upside down.” |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9148 |
| One of the sayings of Diogenes was that most men were within a finger’s breadth of being mad; for if a man walked with his middle finger pointing out, folks would think him mad, but not so if it were his forefinger. |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9149 |
| All things are in common among friends. 2 |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9150 |
| “Be of good cheer,” said Diogenes; “I see land.” |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9151 |
| Plato having defined man to be a two-legged animal without feathers, Diogenes plucked a cock and brought it into the Academy, and said, “This is Plato’s man.” On which account this addition was made to the definition,—“With broad at nails.” |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9152 |
| A man once asked Diogenes what was the proper time for supper, and he made answer, “If you are a rich man, whenever you please; and if you are a poor man, whenever you can.” 3 |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| 9153 |
| Diogenes lighted a candle in the daytime, and went round saying, “I am looking for a man.” 4 |
| Diogenes. vi. |
| Note 1. See Plutarch, Quotation 101. [back] |
| Note 2. See Terence, Quotation 39. Also, Quotation 45. [back] |
| Note 3. The rich when he is hungry, the poor when he has anything to eat.—Francis Rabelais: book iv. chap. lxiv. [back] |
| Note 4. The same is told of Æsop. [back] |