Description

The Cynics were ancient Greek philosophers who stood athwart the flood of societys material excess unexamined conventions and even norms of politeness and thundered No Diogenes the most famous Cynic wasnt shy about literally extending his middle finger to the world When asked why he was called Diogenes the Dog he replied because I fawn on those who give I bark at those who dont 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 charactersfrom Diogenes in the fourth century BCE to the columnstander 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 werent 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 writingranging from street sermons and repartee to biography and snapshots of Cynics in action

Complete with introductions to the volume this lively book demonstrates why the Cynics still retain their power to surprise us and make us laughand to make us think and question how we live