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.
Lorna Doone.
R. D. Blackmore.
Place, London; time, about 1680; reign of James II.
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