The Best of the Cynics
presents most of what remains of the ancient Cynics-what they wrote and what others wrote about them. It begins with an informative introduction and ends with a ten-point Cynic "Plan of Life" and three exercises for practice, along with "Other Matters of Interest Related to the Cynics," including a cast of significant Cynics, a map, a glossary of pertinent Greek terms, and suggestions for further reading.
Cynicism is not what you think it is. It's not something negative, pessimistic, or bitter-not the ancient sort, anyway. Not exactly.
Beginning with Antisthenes and Diogenes, the ancient Cynics and their philosophy influenced the Greek and Roman worlds for nearly a millennium. What they had to offer was a radical way of life. An intense practice. Theirs was a way to train in order to face the desires that plague us and endure the suffering we humans must inevitably encounter.
What did the Cynics hope to accomplish? They wished to live a life in accord with nature, a virtuous life, one characterized by self-control, self-sufficiency, and simplicity. They wanted to be free-to speak freely, to challenge conventions. They hoped to be as shameless as a dog-and yes, as happy as a dog, too.
Ancient Cynicism held out the possibility of a better life, a way to live well. But it wasn't a life for the wavering or fainthearted. Rather, as they portrayed it, their path was a shortcut to the heights. Diogenes said, "I . . . chose the steep and troublesome path-for the man speeding on to happiness must go on even if it is through fire and sword."