EAN: 9780691229850

HOW TO SAY NO - DIOGENES GEBUNDEN

An entertaining and enlightening collection of ancient writings about the philosophers who
advocated simple living and rejected unthinking conformity. The Cynics were ancient Greek
philosophers who stood athwart the flood of society's material excess  unexamined conventions 
and even norms of politeness and thundered 'No!' Diogenes  the most famous Cynic  wasn't shy
about literally extending his middle finger to the world  expressing mock surprise that 'most
people go crazy over a finger.' When asked why he was called Diogenes the Dog  he replied
'because I fawn on those who give  I bark at those who don't  and I bite scoundrels.' How to
Say No is a delightful collection of brief ancient writings about Cynicism that captures all
the outrageousness  wit  and wisdom of its remarkable cast of characters-from Diogenes in the
fourth century BCE to the column-stander Symeon Stylites in late antiquity. With their 'less is
more' approach to life  the Cynics speak urgently to our world of climate change  economic
uncertainty  and psychic malaise. Although the Cynics weren't writers  their memorable
utterances and behavior were recorded by their admirers and detractors  and M. D. Usher offers
fresh new translations of appealing selections from this body of writing-ranging from street
sermons and repartee to biography and snapshots of Cynics in action.Complete with introductions
to the volume and each selection as well as the original Greek and Latin on facing pages  this
lively book demonstrates why the Cynics still retain their power to surprise us and make us
laugh-and to make us think and question how we live--

Aktuelle Preise zur EAN 9780691229850

Produktinformationen zur 9780691229850