This volume is a revised translation of the complete text of Book Six about Diogenes of Sinope and the Cynics, taken from The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers written around AD 230 by the Graeco-Roman author Diogenes Laertius. The Life of Diogenes is accompanied by a detailed outline of Cynic philosophy, explaining Cynic doctrine and its significance for today's audience. Alongside the Life of Diogenes are accounts of other Cynics, including Antisthenes, Crates and Hipparchia. The works of the early Cynics have all been lost, and this text by Diogenes Laertius thankfully preserves an important range of quotations and references. Despite the Cynic's extreme stance, this idealistic philosophy still has a valid part to play in the face of the increasing materialism of our modern society, challenging us to re-evaluate our priorities. The nineteenth-century translation of C. D. Yonge has been substantially revised, and is supported by a new Introduction, Glossary of Names, Notes and Index.

Excerpted from Diogenes Laertius' The lives and opinions of eminent philosophers, book seven.

This volume is a revised translation of the complete text of Book Six about Diogenes of Sinope and the Cynics, taken from The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers written around AD 230 by the Graeco-Roman author Diogenes Laertius. The Life of Diogenes is accompanied by a detailed outline of Cynic philosophy, explaining Cynic doctrine and its significance for today's audience. Alongside the Life of Diogenes are accounts of other Cynics, including Antisthenes, Crates and Hipparchia. The works of the early Cynics have all been lost, and this text by Diogenes Laertius thankfully preserves an important range of quotations and references. Despite the Cynic's extreme stance, this idealistic philosophy still has a valid part to play in the face of the increasing materialism of our modern society, challenging us to re-evaluate our priorities. The nineteenth-century translation of C. D. Yonge has been substantially revised, and is supported by a new Introduction, Glossary of Names, Notes and Index.

THE FIRST OF THREE SLIM VOLUMES Roger L'Estrange, staunch royalist, author and pamphleteer, one-time inmate of Newgate Prison, one-time exile, one-time Member of Parliament, takes up the teaching of the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, rearranging and paraphrasing the original Latin to shape a unique and engaging work of his own. Stoic philosophy guides us through all hazards, and arms us against all difficulties. Those who develop a good character in accordance with Stoic principles learn to live well and face adversities and setbacks with an unshakable equanimity. This slim volume is the first of three parts of Roger L'Estrange's Seneca of a Happy Life, being itself an extract from a much larger whole, Seneca's Morals, first published in 1678.

THE THIRD OF THREE SLIM VOLUMES Roger L'Estrange, staunch royalist, author and pamphleteer, one-time inmate of Newgate Prison, one-time exile, one-time Member of Parliament, takes up the teaching of the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, rearranging and paraphrasing the original Latin to shape a unique and engaging work of his own. True friendship, based on Stoic principles, provides a certain antidote against all calamities, and even the fear of poverty, the hurt of death, and the lamentations of grief may be turned aside by those who possess a proper philosophy. This third slim volume is the concluding part of Roger L'Estrange's Seneca of a Happy Life, being itself an extract of a much larger whole, Seneca's Morals, first published in 1678.

THE SECOND OF THREE SLIM VOLUMES Roger L'Estrange, staunch royalist, author and pamphleteer, one-time inmate of Newgate Prison, one-time exile, one-time Member of Parliament, takes up the teaching of the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, rearranging and paraphrasing the original Latin to shape a unique and engaging work of his own. Although it is not in our power to prevent fortune from sending us perils and trials, we may yet meet them with courage, free of perturbation, and bear them as unkind seasons, neither frightened of terrors nor grieving for lost pleasures. This slim volume is the second of three parts of Roger L'Estrange's Seneca of a Happy Life, being itself an extract of a much larger whole, Seneca's Morals, first published in 1678.

This little book is a playful and whimsical pastiche of Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus - inviting readers to savour the inspiration and instruction of Lao Tzu's classic of philosophical Taoism, the Tao Te Ching. By exploring the mysterious Tao and meditating on Lao Tzu's message, the Taoist Sage avoids excess, extremes, and extravagance, embracing the oneness of the Tao, becoming like an uncarved block, and returning to simplicity. The book is illustrated with pen and ink drawings.

This is a new translation of the ancient Chinese Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu. It aims at clarity and simplicity. Its underlying philosophy is explored in the Introduction, and key terms are explained in the Glossary. The Index will show whereabouts in the Tao Te Ching key concepts and ideas are mentioned, making it a handy tool for exploring the text and for locating favourite passages. The book is illustrated with pen and ink drawings.

Writing four thousand years ago in ancient Egypt, the wise sages Ptah-Hotep and Amenemope advised their young sons how to live good, honourable and prosperous lives. Preserved through the ages, these two fine examples of ancient wisdom literature come down to us today and are here published in this slim volume, still helpful, relevant and encouraging for the modern philosophical seeker.

"Ancient philosophers are often contrasted with contemporary philosophers because they view philosophy not as a profession, but a way of life. None did so more uncompromisingly, however, than Diogenes the Cynic, who chided even Socrates for occasionally wearing sandals and maintaining a small household. Diogenes's espousal of extreme poverty combined with a talent for exhibitionism and propensity for offense was taken by some to be merely childish and grounded in a desire for fame, but by others as an ideal form of pure philosophical commitment. Beginning with his life as a banker's son in Sinope, this book traces the origins and effects of his exile and status as a foreigner in Athens and Corinth, his subsequent espousal of a life a poverty, and his development of a style of life that both he and others found comparable to a dog's in terms of its disregard for social norms and conventions. Much of Diogenes' practical philosophy took the form of his own distinctive bodily practices which were meant to reinforce Cynic freedom and self-sufficiency. By calling into question cultural conventions governing the body with respect to sexuality, athletics, clothing, hygiene, punishment, etc., his own dog-style life championed unrestrained free speech (parrhēsia), equality between the sexes, and a cosmopolitan view of the possibilities of a world rid of the evils caused by the pursuit of wealth, fame, and power. Throughout various historical periods, Diogenes has offered a fascinating alternative to conventional lives and served as a brave exemplar of absolute devotion to human freedom and equality"--