Diogenes and Plato on Pride.
T. A. Bland.
Diogenes. Fie on thy philosophy, Plato! In spite of all, thou art the veriest of aristocrats, while philosophy teacheth humility.
Plato. Thou hast spoken truly, Diogenes, but not in wisdom; thy speech is wise, ’tis true, but thy thought is foolish. That I am proud, I own, and that I am a democrat, I do most sincerely maintain.
D. Now thou speakest in riddles. Thy words are double, and thy answer as the answer of the fool.
P. Gently, Diogenes. Anger not thy mind with quick speech that is void of wisdom. Let us inquire into this matter with the calmness and deliberation befitting the dignity of philosophy. Is not pride self-respect, and is not self-respect an admirable virtue?
D. Nay, nay, Plato. Thou art surely in the wrong here. Pride is vanity, and it leadeth to contempt for the merits of thy fellows. Thus is aristocracy fostered.
P. If it were as you affirm, then would I quickly eschew pride. But I do not so hold, nor did Socrates. Methinks it were vanity, and not pride, thou wouldst condemn, Diogenes, and pride and vanity, I hold, are very different matters.
D. Thy reasons? Give me thy reasons for this opinion. I do maintain that pride is the root and substance of vanity.
P. Then thou dost surely not think wisely. To be proud is to esteem one’s self, while the vain man is anxious about the praise of the mob. Pride is self-reliant, confident, courageous. Vanity is fawning, anxious, and cowardly. And thou, too, art proud, Diogenes. Thy contempt for what thou callest my pride is the offspring of thy greater pride. Thou believest in the wisdom of Diogenes more than in that of Plato. Is not this thy pride?
D. But Plato lives in a palace and clothes his person with costly raiment. Diogenes despiseth costly raiment and lives in a tub.
P. Diogenes is therefore shown to be not only prouder than Plato, but vainer also.
D. Vain, dost thou say, Plato? Art in thy right mind to call Diogenes vain?
P. I call thee vain, Diogenes, and if thou but hear me I will prove it. Thou art vain of thy fame, for thou art famous for thy humility. Thou art proud of thy wisdom, also, Diogenes, and vain of thy learning. Thou thinkest that thou art wiser than Plato, else thou wouldst become his disciple; and richer than Alexander, else thou wouldst not scorn his gifts. ’Tis Diogenes who is the aristocrat. He thinks himself better than others, and is therefore above his fellows.
D. Hold thee there, Plato. Thou surely doest me wrong. Do I not live like a peasant, and scorn only the rich and they that are in high places; and is that pride?
P. Thou dost indeed wear the garb of a peasant, but thou also carriest a lantern to search for an honest man, boldly proclaiming that until such a man is found thou wilt live alone. Is not this virtuous aristocracy? Fie on thy democracy, Diogenes! By thine own argument thou art a greater aristocrat than Plato. But learn this, and add it to thy stock of wisdom: True pride is consistent with philosophy, and philosophy is the foe of vanity.