Life, 1921-04-14 · page 9 of 36
Life — April 14, 1921 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon depicts the famous historical encounter between the Cynic philosopher Diogenes and Alexander the Great. According to the text, Alexander sought to grant Diogenes any wish, but the philosopher famously requested only that Alexander stop blocking his sunlight. The cartoon shows a richly dressed, imperious Alexander (left, in ornate military dress) confronting a ragged, impoverished Diogenes (right, seated near a tub). The satire highlights the contrast between worldly power and philosophical indifference to material wealth. The accompanying text elaborates that Alexander found Diogenes's bluntness refreshing, and notes that Diogenes's austere lifestyle (living in a tub) made him notably difficult to maintain as a subject, even for a great conqueror.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
turn and g to wes- Mr. tand “sted paid ding ed it ions, resi- you n the > me, just G Te ~ ren Unfamiliar Anniversaries—No. 3. By TENGGREN Diogenes Meets Alexander the Great WENTY-TWO hundred and thirty-two years ago to-day, \lexander the Great called upon Diogenes, the philosopher, tired if he might do him a service. In reply to the emi conqueror’s polite overture, the cantankerous cynic asseyerated that he would consider it a clubby bit of activity if he (Alexander) would remove his stuck-up configuration from Letween him (Diogenes) and the noonday sun. Up to this date, that was the freshest remark ever made to a tuler, and since then many subjects have suffered permanent and ir divorces from their identities for things to various kings, It is rather difficult to account for Alexander's commendable restraint. He probably thought to himself: “ What will H. G. Wells say, if he ever finds out that I’ve curtailed the career of this philosophic old hick? Heaven knows, I'm in bad with him already. Perhaps I'd better let Diogenes get away with it.” Owing to the exorbitant price of maintenance in Corinth, and personal habits which rendered appropriate such a residence, Diogenes lived in a tub. saying much pleasanter comicbooks.com