Diogenes living on lentils

One day, the Greek phiolosopher Diogenes who is said to live in a barrel was eating a plate of lentils on the steps of someone else’s house when the imperial philosopher Aristippos passed by and noticed Diogenes. It is important to know that at that time there was no cheaper food than lentils, and a diet rich in lentils was considered a sign of being poor.

Aristippus who had made a prosperous living flattering the emperor said to Diogenes, “How unfortunate for you, Diogenes… If you would learn to be a little more subservient and flatter the emperor a little more, you wouldn’t always have to eat lentils.”

Diogenes stopped eating, raised his head and looked firmly into the eyes of his wealthy colleague. He replied, “Unfortunate for you, Aristippus. If you had learned to get along on lentils, you would not have to be so subservient and constantly flatter the emperor.”