On Mutual Esteem

[sdi]

One day, Diogenes was sitting at a favored haunt and Alexander the Great, then in Corinth and aware of the exploits of the notorious Cynic, came to offer his respects. Standing before Diogenes and casting a shadow over him, Alexander said, "I am Alexander, the great king."

Diogenes looked up and replied, "I am Diogenes, the dog."

"Why are you a dog?"

"Because I fawn upon those who give me anything, and bark at those who give me nothing."

Desiring the former, or perhaps wishing to put Diogenes to the test, Alexander said, "Very well, then. Ask any favor of me you please, and it shall be given."

"I ask, O great king, that you move out of my sun."

Surprised, Alexander stepped aside so that his shadow fell elsewhere. He regarded the indigent man before him. "You don't fear me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Are you a good king or an evil tyrant?"

"A good king, of course."

"Why would anyone fear what is good?"

Alexander laughed. Turning to his retinue, he said, "If I were not Alexander, I should be Diogenes."

Diogenes replied, "And if I were not Diogenes, I should be Alexander."

Indeed, it seems the lives of these two great men were linked in some strange way, as it is said that they died on the same day, though some fifteen hundred miles apart.