Alexander the Great had inherited his father’s Macedonian kingdom, put down revolts in Greece, and had amassed his army in preparation for an attack on Persia. Seeking spiritual counsel before the war, he traveled to Athens to seek out the advice of the philosopher Diogenes the Cynic, renowned for scouring the streets of Athens at night with a lantern—seeking an honest man.
Alexander finds Diogenes sitting in the sun, meditating.
“I am Alexander the Great.”
Diogenes’ eyes blink open and he beholds Alexander in his resplendent general’s uniform. “And I am Diogenes the Cynic.”
Alexander, a bit smug. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Diogenes raises his hand and motions slightly. “Yes, you can step out of the sunlight.”
Later Alexander was heard to remark: “If I was not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes.”
I’m going to buy a lantern.
Bob..a welcomed great story…thank you Bob! By a lamplight`s glow, true honesty within man may be revealed.
`Light fades away in heaven and earth…when the sun and moon grow dark`…
(( aloha )) beachgirl
Perhaps I'll need a big lantern.
Great story.