Diogenes quotes

What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

Most men are within a finger's breadth of being mad.

It was a favorite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend.

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

The great thieves lead away the little thief.

The art of being a slave is to rule one's master.

It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.

When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.

Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.

The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.

Why not whip the teacher when the pupil misbehaves?

When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.

Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.

Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music.

As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.