Diogenes of Sinope's most famous sayings
The top 3 according to 1 vote: If you are rich, when you like; if you are poor, when you can. · Stand a little out of my sunlight. · I am looking for a man.. (Updated Dec 14, 2025.)
From 'Stand out of my sunlight' to Alexander the Great to the lamp he carried looking for an honest man: the Cynic philosopher's sayings and comebacks as told by Diogenes Laërtius in Lives of the Philosophers, book VI (plus one modern line that isn't his).
Automatically translated (original in Italiano). See the original
Top 11
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1
If you are rich, when you like; if you are poor, when you can.
When asked the right time to eat. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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2
Stand a little out of my sunlight.
To Alexander the Great, who asked what he wanted. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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3
I am looking for a man.
Walking about in broad daylight with a lit lamp. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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4
I am a citizen of the world.
When asked where he came from. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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5
Behold Plato's man!
Showing a plucked chicken after Plato defined man as a 'featherless biped'. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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6
A child has beaten me in plainness of living.
Throwing away his cup after seeing a child drink from his hands. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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7
Other people's.
When asked which wine he liked best. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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8
Because they expect to become lame and blind, but never philosophers.
Why people give to beggars but not to philosophers. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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9
The sun too enters privies, but is not defiled.
To those who reproached him for going to sordid places. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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10
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
Said by Alexander the Great after their meeting. Diogenes Laërtius, Lives VI.
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11
The more I know people, the more I love my dog.
Attributed: a modern line not found in any ancient source on Diogenes.
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