English Original
Diogenes was a famous Greek philosopher of the fourth century B.C., who established the philosophy of cynicism. He often walked about in the daytime holding a lighted lantern, peering around as if he were looking for something. When questioned about his odd behavior, he would reply, "I am searching for an honest man."
Diogenes held that the good man was self-sufficient and did not require material comforts or wealth. He believed that wealth and possessions constrained humanity's natural state of freedom. In keeping with his philosophy, he was perfectly satisfied with making his home in a large earthen tub discarded from the temple of Cybele, the goddess of nature. This tub, called a pithos, had formerly been used for holding wine or oil for the sacrifices at the temple.
One day, Alexander the Great, conqueror of half the civilized world, saw Diogenes sitting in his tub in the sunshine. The king, surrounded by his courtiers, approached Diogenes and said, "I am Alexander the Great." The philosopher replied rather contemptuously, "I am Diogenes, the Cynic." Alexander then asked if he could help him in any way. "Yes," shot back Diogenes, "don't stand between me and the sun." A surprised Alexander then replied quickly, "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."
中文翻译
第欧根尼是公元前四世纪一位著名的希腊哲学家，他创立了犬儒主义哲学。他常常在白天提着一盏点燃的灯笼四处走动，四处张望，仿佛在寻找什么。当被问及这种古怪行为时，他会回答：“我正在寻找一个诚实的人。”
第欧根尼认为，善良的人是自给自足的，不需要物质享受或财富。他相信财富和财产束缚了人类天然的自由状态。为了践行他的哲学，他非常满足于在一个从自然女神库柏勒神庙丢弃的大陶制桶里安家。这个被称为pithos的桶，以前用于盛放寺庙祭祀用的酒或油。
一天，征服了半个文明世界的亚历山大大帝，看到第欧根尼正坐在他的桶里晒太阳。这位被朝臣们簇拥着的国王走近第欧根尼，说道：“我是亚历山大大帝。”哲学家颇为轻蔑地回答：“我是第欧根尼，犬儒主义者。”亚历山大接着问他是否需要任何帮助。“是的，”第欧根尼迅速回击道，“别挡在我和太阳之间。”惊讶的亚历山大随即迅速回应：“如果我不是亚历山大，我愿做第欧根尼。”