Diogenes
Diogenes of Sinope, a founder of Cynicism, was the ancient Greek philosopher known for famously looking for an honest person. He carried a lantern in broad daylight through the city of Athens, claiming he was searching for an honest man, a legend that highlighted his critique of societal pretense and his search for genuine virtue.
According to Diogenes's view most people were living in an artificial, dream-like state they are blinded by social convention they do not understand. He believed that true virtue and honesty were rare and that many people hid their true nature or lived according to false pretenses.
Seneca mentions Book V Diogenes.
Give a pledge and trouble is at hand
"Give a pledge and trouble is at hand" has also been debated as to its meaning by Diodorus, Plutarch, and Diogenes and many others. Some interpret this as to mean "Certainty brings ruin." We could also say the same thing by say, "Entitlements degenerate the Masses".
Diogenes interprets the third maxim to mean: "Trouble attends him who affirms anything in strong terms and confidently".[1]
- ↑ Swear not
- Numbers 30:2 “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
- Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
- Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:5 "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
- Matthew 5:33-37 “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
- Matthew 15:18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
- James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”