Diogenes of Sinope was known for being different from the rest of society. Diogenes was popularly known as a Kyon, which in Greek means “dog.” The word cynic derives from Kyon and was later associated with the philosophy of cynicism which is “The end of life is virtue, not pleasure, and it can only be obtained by independence of all earthly possessions and pleasures” (Philosophy.lander.edu) as well as living a “living a life full of virtue in agreement with nature”(Philosophybasics.com). Diogenes lives in a barrel, and he happily demonstrates that there is more to life than just power and riches. The fact that he lives in such a simple manner, shows that he doesn’t need materials to be happy. In Tendryakov’s Revelations next to a Philosopher’s Barrel, Diogenes of Sinope is an outcast …show more content…
As a cynical person he lives his life simply with no attachment or material goods in his name. Diogenes is a free man and no one has control over him. He lives as an outsider, but is it possible to live such a life? Within the time period he was alive, it was not so hard to survive, everything was less complicated and not much was needed; Diogenes was able to adapt and live his life in nature. Happiness in the life of a cynic, occurs when they avoid any and all responsibilities; they also avoided having a social life. Being a cynic meant that he/she could express themselves and have no shame of their actions. He discovers that there is joy behind the simplest things. “He gloomily disdained wealth, ate what he could find, covered his unwashed body with rags and lived in a barrel. People were somewhat afraid of him; they treated him with burning curiosity and would listen to his wrathful accusations quite willingly but,having done so, would go home; no one had hitherto tried to find a barrel suitable for living (Translator's Private Collection).” These actions he took were to protest against social and moral