ANECDOTES, QUOTATIONS, and TRIVIA of

PHILOSOPHERS
and few THEOLOGIANS and PSYCHIATRISTS


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Founder of the Cynic school of philosophers at Athens. He advocated a simple and austere life.

A follower of Socrates, he founded the Cyrenaic school of philosophy, which is notable mainly for empiricist and skeptical epistemology and hedonism. The Cyrenaics held that pleasure is the chief good in life.

♠ During his sojourn at the court of Dionysius, tyrant of syracuse, Aristippus requested a favor for a friend. When Dionysius refused, Aristippus pleaded with the tyrant, abasing himself at his feet, until the favor was granted. Criticzed for this conduct as being unworthy of a philosopher, Aristippus retorted, "But that is where the tyrant's ears are."
(F. Callières, Des Bons Mots et des bons contes)

♠ Dionysius asked Aristippus why it was that philosophers paid court to princes, but not vice versa. Aristippus answered, "It is because philosophers know what they need, and princes do not."
(E. Guérard, Dictionnaire Encyclopédique)

His philosophical writings was immensely influential in history of science by replacing the Aristotelian method of induction with experimental approach.

♠
Queen Elizabeth was offended by John Hayward's History of Henry IV (1599), which she believed to criticize her under the pretext of a history book. She consulted with legal officers whether it would be possible to charge Hayward with treason. Bacon replied, "I cannot answer for there being treason in it, but certainly it contains much felony." Asked wherein, he quipped, "In many passages, he has stolen from Tacitus."
(E. Fuller, 2500 Anecdotes)

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Bacon's experiemental method lead to his death in 1626. In March, as he was passing past snowy fields near Highgate, it occured to him that snow might be used to preserve food. He stopped the coach to buy a chicken, killed it, removed its entrails, and then stuffed it with snow. This activity brought on such a chill that it was impossible to return home. Instead he lodged with the Earl of Arundel in Highgate, where he slept in a somewhat damp bed.
Bacon contracted pneumonia, of which he died in three days.
(H. Hoffmeister, Anekdotenschatz)

His teachings formed the basis of Buddhism.

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One day Buddha was confronted by a man who poured abuse on him. Buddha asked him: "If a man offered a gift to antoerh but the gift was declined, to whom would the gift belong?"
"To the one who offered it."
Buddha continued, "Then, I decline to accpet your abuse and request you to keep it for yourself."
(W. Durant, The Story of Civilization)

♠
One bright afternoon Dewey and some of his philosophy friends walked half a mile to watch an open-air movie. It was only when they arrived that they realized that movies require darkness, which is rather hard to achieve in the sunny outdoors.
(M. Eastman, Great Companions)

♠
Dewey spent his retirement selling eggs and vegetables to his neighbors on Long Island. One day he delievered eggs to a wealthy customer by entering through the front door only to be rebuked that deliveries were made at the back. Sometime later he gave a lecture to a local women's club and was amused to overhear his wealthy customer whisper to her friend, "Why, he looks exactly like our egg man!"
(M. Eastman, Great Companions)

♠
Someone said of Callisthenes, Alexander the Great's historian: "What a fortunate man, a part of Alexander's household, privileged to be present at his feasts."
Diognes was not impressed. "Say, rather, how unfortunate a man who can neither dine nor sup except at Alexander's pleasure."
(Diogenes Laertius, Eminent Philosophers)

♠
In contrast to Diogenes, the hedonistic philosopher Aristippus secured himself a place at the court of Dionysius thanks to his tireless flattery to the tyrant. One day Aristippus saw Diogenes preparing some meager meal and advised his fellow sage: "If you would only learn to compliment Dionysius, you wouldn't have to live on lentils."
Diogenes retorted: "And if you would only learn to live on lentils, you wouldn't have to flatter Dionysius."
(E. Fuller, 2500 Anecdotes)

♠
Alexander saw Diogenes rummaging a heap of human bones and asked him what he was looking for. Diogenes answered: "I am searching for the bones of your father, but I cannot distinguish them form those of his slaves."
(J. Braude, Speaker's and Toastmaster's Handbook)

♠
Another day Diogenes was approached by a woman who complained that his son was rude and ill-behaved. She asked the philosopher what she should do to his son. Diogenes answered by striking her in the face.
(H. Hoffmeister, Anekdotenschatz)

♠
One day Diogenes was observed begging from a statue. Asked what in the world he was doing, he explained, "I am exercising the art of being rejected."
(H. Margolius, Der Lächelnde Philosoph)

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When Diogenes saw a child drinking from his cupped hands, he immediately removed his goblet from his bag and dumped it, further reducing his few worldy possessions. He said, "In the practice of moderation a child has become my master."
(H. Margolius, Der Lächelnde Philosoph)

♠ [Asked of his home country] "I am a citizen of the world."
(Diogenes Laertius, Eminent Philosophers)

Stoic philosopher

♠
Freud was an inveterate cigar-smoker. Asked if his smoking had any symbolic meaning, he replied, "Somtimes a cigar is just a cigar."
(Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1982)

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