1001Philosophers

Menippus of Gadara c. 280 BC – c. 180 BC

Menippus of Gadara (c. 280 BC – c. 180 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.

Menippus of Gadara was a Greek Cynic philosopher and satirist of the third century BC, traditionally born a slave and later freed, whose mixed-genre satires of philosophical pretension fused prose and verse, parody and earnest argument, in a form that came to be known after him as Menippean satire. Although none of his own writings survive, his style and figure are reflected in the satires of Lucian of Samosata and the Saturae Menippeae of Varro, and through them in the broader tradition of satirical philosophy from Apuleius to Erasmus. Diogenes Laertius preserves his life among the Cynics in the sixth book of his biographies.

Key facts

Nationality
Greek
Era
Ancient
Movements
Cynicism, Hellenistic

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Menippus of Gadara:

    “The wise man is a stranger in every city, including his own.”

  • Attributed to Menippus of Gadara:

    “Mock the philosophers gently, and they may yet remember they were once human.”

  • Attributed to Menippus of Gadara:

    “Wealth is a heavier load than poverty, for it must be carried with one's reputation.”

  • Attributed to Menippus of Gadara:

    “He who can laugh at the gods has nothing left to fear from them.”

  • Attributed to Menippus of Gadara:

    “A philosophy that has lost its sense of humor has lost its grip on the world.”

Frequently asked about Menippus of Gadara

When did Menippus of Gadara live?
Menippus of Gadara was born in c. 280 BC and died in c. 180 BC.
Where was Menippus of Gadara from?
Menippus of Gadara was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Menippus of Gadara associated with?
Menippus of Gadara was associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
What was Menippus of Gadara known for?
Menippus of Gadara was a Greek Cynic philosopher and satirist of the third century BC, traditionally born a slave and later freed, whose mixed-genre satires of philosophical pretension fused prose and verse, parody and earnest argument, in a form that came to be known after him as Menippean satire.
How many quotes are attributed to Menippus of Gadara?
There are 5 attributed quotations from Menippus of Gadara in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.