The Cynics

The story goes that one day Socrates stood gazing at a stall that sold all kinds of wares. Finally he said," What a lot of things i don't need!"

This statement could be the motto for the Cynic school of philosophy, founded by Antisthenes in Athens around 400 B.C.

Antisthenes had been a pupil of Socrates, and had become particularly interested in his frugality.

The Cynics emphasized that true happiness is not found in external advantages such s material luxury, political power, or good health. True happiness lies in not being dependent on such random and fleeting things. And because happiness does not consist in benefits of this kind, it is within everyone's reach. Moreover, having once been attained, it can never be lost.

The best known of the Cynics was Diogenes, a pupil of Antistheneds, who reputedly lived in a barrel and owned nothing but a clooak, a stick and a bread bag. ( So it wasnt easy to steal his happiness from him!) One day while he was sitting beside his barrel enjoying the su, he was visited by Alexander teh Great. the emperor stood before him and asked if there was anything he could do for him. Was there anything he desired? " Yes" , Diogenes replied. "Stand to one side. You're blocking the sun." Thus Diogenes showed that he was no less happy and rich than the great man before him. He had everything he desired.

The Cynics believed that people did not need to be concerned about their own health. Even suffering and death should not disturb them. Nor should they let themselves be tormented by concern for other people's woes.

Nowadays the terms 'cynical' and 'cynicism' have come to mean a sneering disbelief in human sincerity, and they imply insensitivity to other people's suffering.

Sophie's World
Jostein Gaarden

Actually its only the first two sentences that really caught my eye... somehow the whole thing got typed :D ... i'v always thought the same way... inevitably it has made me think kay others think the wrong way... i mean... how can u NOT agree ?...