3 Important Life Lessons from Dogs and Diogenes
The Greatest Ancient Greek Philosopher
There once lived a man who lived on the streets and ignored the greatness of Alexander the Great. He peed on royalty and mocked Plato. To many, he seemed like a madman — to me, he is a legend. This man is Diogenes The Cynic, and he has much to teach us.
Diogenes taught through living, not lecturing — sometimes in peculiar and repulsive ways. Diogenes is said to have urinated and masturbated in public as he wished. Many compare him to a dog, but that may not seem so bad upon further examination.
Dogs may live more honest lives than most humans. Dogs do what they want, where they want, and when they want. Dogs do not succumb to anxiety and stress about living a meaningful or impactful life. Nor do dogs have to worry about staying up-to-date with the latest styles and trends. They also find happiness in the simplest of pleasures — a new toy, a crumb of their owner’s lunch, a squirrel outside.
Diogenes and dogs have many similarities that can stand as lessons for us all. There are three main takeaways we can grasp and look to in times of discomfort, stress, and anxiety.
1. Modern Society has Lost Touch with What’s Important
Diogenes believed that humans had lost touch with reality — everyone was living inauthentic lives. To this day, that still holds true.
Our societies revolve around social constructs that seem important at a glance, but given further attention, we find otherwise.
Hidden belief systems drive society towards economic development, which is good, right? Everyone needs a job. Everyone wants to find their purpose in work. However, over the years, the driving factors for further economic growth have shifted from health and wellness to material wealth and financial prosperity.
The introduction of technology into the world proved positively stimulating until it didn’t. Now, society focuses on economic advancement and the improvement of productivity, but the quality of life doesn’t seem to follow linearly. Today, thousands of people suffer from work-related stress and anxiety, which can lead to the onset of chronic diseases or depression.
Corporations do not seem to care about the individuals they employ — they only care for what those employees can produce.
Most people work simply to consume more. The more they earn, the more they can buy. But what’s the point when you sell your mental and physical well-being?
At what cost is one’s happiness worth? Is it $60k per year plus generous benefits?
It’s universally known that wealth does not lead to happiness. The more material goods one possesses does not correlate to how much happiness they have.
Rather, it stems from within. Look at Diogenes. He lived in a barrel on the street with some rags and a bowl for his possessions. When he saw a young boy drinking water with his hands, he threw away his bowl, believing it was a luxury.
Diogenes showed the people around him that you do not need much to be happy. In fact, all you need is the proper mental state, and you can be free from suffering.
Money comes and goes, but your mind and your body do not — you only get one chance to care for your mental and physical health. You only get one chance at happiness.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Nobody Should Be Embarrassed About Their Actions or Desires
As stated previously, Diogenes masturbated in public. He simply did not care what others thought about him. When asked about it, Diogenes stated he only wished he could rub his stomach to cure his hunger.
Diogenes had no mind for other’s opinions, and his statement perfectly reflected that. He gave no notice to the disgust of him pleasing himself in public.
Now, I am not advocating for anyone to do such a thing, but the lesson stands.
So often, people buy clothes, go to events, or post on social media to receive praise or acceptance. That’s not human nature — nobody should try to impress others for approval. Approve of yourself through your actions and your speech.
Live life for yourself. Do what you want, not what society wants you to do.
“I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.”
Henry David Thoreau
3. Hardship and Simplicity Are Good for Us
Struggling builds strength. We fight, adapt, overcome, and learn from our struggles. Diogenes knew this, and he sought out hardship.
By living a life of toil, Diogenes could strengthen his mind and shape his willpower how he wanted. Diogenes used to beg to statues in Corinth, and when asked why he would do that, he said to get practice in denial.
The same goes for everyone in modern life. Getting fired or turned down from jobs strengthens us. Resilience, persistence, and dedication force themselves into our arsenal of traits. We can pull from this stockpile of experience to overcome difficult life situations.
Furthermore, Diogenes was aware that living through hardships, one could find joy and pleasure in the simplicities of life. If every day you were to eat at a five-star restaurant, a basic, home-cooked meal would not seem so satisfying.
Instead of chasing pleasure day after day, if we struggle, live through tough times and mediocrity, we can find immense joy in such basic things.
Hardship isn’t necessary, but it does seem commonplace for many to ignore the beauty in simplicity. A warm, sunny Sunday afternoon is such a blessing that often goes unadorned.
“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
