1001Philosophers

Demetrius the Cynic c. 10 AD – c. 80 AD

Demetrius the Cynic (c. 10 AD – c. 80 AD) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.

Demetrius the Cynic was a Greek philosopher of the first century AD and one of the most admired Cynics of the Roman period. Active in Rome and Greece, he was a close friend of Seneca, who praised his austere life and his unyielding frankness, and was banished from Rome by both Nero and Vespasian for his outspoken criticism of imperial luxury and tyranny. He left no writings, but his sayings, preserved by Seneca, Epictetus, and the Christian apologists, made him a model of philosophical poverty, frankness of speech, and self-sufficiency in the long Cynic tradition that stretches from Diogenes of Sinope to late antiquity.

Key facts

Nationality
Greek
Era
Ancient
Movements
Cynicism, Hellenistic

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Demetrius the Cynic:

    “I prefer the bench under the open sky to the gilded ceiling of any palace.”

  • Attributed to Demetrius the Cynic:

    “Wealth is the enemy of virtue when it commands the heart.”

  • Attributed to Demetrius the Cynic:

    “The wise person owes nothing to fortune.”

  • Attributed to Demetrius the Cynic:

    “It is foolish to fear what natural reason cannot avoid.”

  • Attributed to Demetrius the Cynic:

    “He who needs little is closer to the gods.”

Demetrius the Cynic by topic

Frequently asked about Demetrius the Cynic

When did Demetrius the Cynic live?
Demetrius the Cynic was born in c. 10 AD and died in c. 80 AD.
Where was Demetrius the Cynic from?
Demetrius the Cynic was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Demetrius the Cynic associated with?
Demetrius the Cynic was associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
What was Demetrius the Cynic known for?
Demetrius the Cynic was a Greek philosopher of the first century AD and one of the most admired Cynics of the Roman period.
How many quotes are attributed to Demetrius the Cynic?
There are 5 attributed quotations from Demetrius the Cynic in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.