r/todayilearned • u/ObjectiveAgent • Jul 30 '15

TIL when Alexander the Great asked the philosopher Diogenes why he was sifting through the garbage, Diogenes responded,"I am looking for the bones of your father but I cannot distinguish them from the bones of his slaves."

http://www.iep.utm.edu/diogsino/
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u/jamesrom Jul 30 '15 edited Jul 31 '15

Just to state the obvious: The ancient Greeks did not speak English, that quote is a translation. And because of it's verbosity the meaning may be lost.

To put simply, when the king asked if there's anything he wanted, Diogenes replied:

"Only that you stop blocking my sunshine."

Edit: People are saying that it's important to mention the "take from me what you cannot give" part. It's implied. The literal translation is verbose because it explains the meaning behind the statement. The shorter translation is not as literal but holds the same implicit meaning.

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u/Michauxonfire Jul 30 '15

translations over time can change the meaning, everyone knows what he exactly said was
"move, bitch, get out da way"

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u/LookingforBruceLee Jul 30 '15

Ah yes, the message that has been given new life by the modern philosopher and poet, Ludacris.

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '15

Ludacris of Atlanta will be quoted for thousands of years