'Lo Plato's Man-Quoth Diogenes the Cynic

Anecdote Un

Once there were two men. One by the name of Plato, a man of "knowledge" as it were. The other was known as Diogenes the Cynic. One day a crowd had gathered in the local market place. They were all quite interested in our friend Plato, famous as he was. Why was he famous? Well he was seen as genuis, one who could make sense of our world. This day he presented to the people his definition of man. "Man" said Plato "is a featherless biped." Well the people were quite taken with this and proceeded to heap laurels upon him. Now our friend Diogenes enters the story. He waltzes amidst the crowd. When all eyes are upon him he cries "'Lo it is Plato's Man!" and drops a plucked chicken at Plato's feet. The point is this: analysis for the sake of analysis is ridiculous. Unfortunately they did not take this to heart as they simply ammended the definition to say "a featherless biped with broad flat nails."

In other words don't be anything but what you feel like being, and have fun.

Anecdote Deux:

One day our friend Diogenes was lounging in the wine barrel he lived in, taking in the sun. When comes walking a man named Alexender, a Macedonian. He was excited to meet such a famous, infamous to some, man. "What boon might Diogenes ask of Alexander" asked he. "You can move out of my sunlight," Diogenes replied. Stunned Alexander, whilst walking away, murmered "if I were not Alexander I should wish to be Diogenes."

We exert no more influence over you then what is given by your consent. You remain completely autonomous.

Anecdote Trois:

When asked where he came from our friend Diognenes would reply I am a cosmopolites. Citizen of the World.

Random trivia fact, yes that is where the word cosmopolitan comes from. Take pleasure in your own identity and at least pretend to respect those of others. Something of note: yes, we can tell the difference between an amusing facade and honest prejudice.

Anecdote Quatre:

When asked what he would like done with his body when he died, Diogenes replied that he would like them to toss him over the city walls to be feasted upon by scavengers. When asked if he would mind that he replied "not if you give me a large stick to ward off the beasts," To which they replied "how can you ward off the beasts if you have not awareness?". Diogenes rejoinds "if I have not awareness why should I care what becomes of me?"

Eccentricities, Idiosynchrasies, and an appreciation of the illogical are highly encouraged amongst Plato's Men.