The central tenets of Cynicism.
The central tenets of Cynicism of Antisthenes, per Diogenes Laertius:
- Virtue can be taught.
- Only the virtuous are noble.
- Virtue is itself sufficient for happiness, since it requires “nothing else except the strength of a Socrates."
- Virtue is tied to deeds and actions, and does not require a great deal of words or learning.
- The wise person is self-sufficient.
- Having a poor reputation is something good, and is like physical hardship.
- The law of virtue rather than the laws established by the polis will determine the public acts of one who is wise.
- The wise person will marry in order to have children with the best women.
- The wise person knows who are worthy of love, and so does not disdain to love.
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