Demonax c. 70 – c. 170
Demonax (c. 70 – c. 170) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
Demonax was a Cypriot Cynic philosopher of the second century AD who lived for most of his long life in Athens. The biographer Lucian, his pupil, devoted to him a brief Life that has preserved most of what is known about him, painting a portrait of a humane and witty Cynic in the lineage of Diogenes and Crates who freed the school from its harsher and more theatrical excesses. He was widely loved by the Athenians, who, according to Lucian, gave him a public funeral and treated his rough cloak and staff as relics.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Cynicism, Hellenistic
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Demonax:
“I criticize men, but I do not hate them; one cannot hate what one wishes to improve.”
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Attributed to Demonax:
“The truly great man is he who has nothing to lose by the truth.”
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Attributed to Demonax:
“Philosophy is a wardrobe of disguises only when it is not yet philosophy.”
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Attributed to Demonax:
“He who needs nothing has nothing to fear.”
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Attributed to Demonax:
“Laughter that wounds is not Cynic; Cynic laughter heals.”
Frequently asked about Demonax
- When did Demonax live?
- Demonax was born in c. 70 and died in c. 170.
- Where was Demonax from?
- Demonax was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
- What philosophical movements is Demonax associated with?
- Demonax was associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
- What was Demonax known for?
- Demonax was a Cypriot Cynic philosopher of the second century AD who lived for most of his long life in Athens.
- How many quotes are attributed to Demonax?
- There are 15 attributed quotations from Demonax in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.