An entertaining and enlightening collection of ancient writings about
the philosophers who advocated simple living and rejected unthinking
conformity
The Cynics were ancient Greek philosophers who stood athwart the flood
of society's material excess, unexamined conventions, and even norms of
politeness and thundered "No!" Diogenes, the most famous Cynic, wasn't
shy about literally extending his middle finger to the world, expressing
mock surprise that "most people go crazy over a finger." When asked why
he was called Diogenes the Dog, he replied "because I fawn on those who
give, I bark at those who don't, and I bite scoundrels." How to Say No
is a delightful collection of brief ancient writings about Cynicism that
captures all the outrageousness, wit, and wisdom of its remarkable cast
of characters--from Diogenes in the fourth century BCE to the
column-stander Symeon Stylites in late antiquity.
With their "less is more" approach to life, the Cynics speak urgently to
our world of climate change, economic uncertainty, and psychic malaise.
Although the Cynics weren't writers, their memorable utterances and
behavior were recorded by their admirers and detractors, and M. D. Usher
offers fresh new translations of appealing selections from this body of
writing--ranging from street sermons and repartee to biography and
snapshots of Cynics in action.
Complete with introductions to the volume and each selection as well as
the original Greek and Latin on facing pages, this lively book
demonstrates why the Cynics still retain their power to surprise us and
make us laugh--and to make us think and question how we live.
