DIOGENES

Diogenes was a man who’d left his home when caught skimming flakes of metal from the coins of the currency imposed by the occupying Greeks.
He went to Athens, lived in a barrel in the central marketplace.
In the middle of the day, bright sunlight, Diogenes would walk around holding a lamp out in front of him and say if asked, ‘I’m looking for an honest man.’
He had a stick, would tap, poke, hit people to make his point.
He lived on the edge of society, had a dog as a companion. Now we’d call him ‘homeless,’ walk past him without a word or glance. Then, people would visit, ask questions.
He was a philosopher, the first Cynic. The Greek kynikos means ‘like a dog.’ Cynics think virtue is the only good, that its essence lies in self-control and independence.
Alexander the Great, the most powerful man in the world, who used violence to conquer and bring order was intrigued by Diogenes and invited him to a party.
Diogenes didn’t go to the party so Alexander went to see him and, recognising something of himself in this barrel dweller, said, ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘You can step to the side,’ said Diogenes, ‘you’re blocking the sun.’