The Lucian of Samosata Project

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====== Diogenes of Sinope | Aesop 85. Diogenes and the Ferryman  ======

<blockquote>On his travels, **Diogenes the Cynic** came to a stream that was flooded. He stood on the bank, unable to go any farther. One of those ferrymen who regularly carry people across rivers saw that **Diogenes** did not know what to do so he approached the philosopher, picked him up, and kindly carried him across the water. **Diogenes** then stood on the opposite shore, bewailing the poverty that prevented him from rewarding the man for his good deed. While **Diogenes** was still pondering this state of affairs, the ferryman saw another traveller who could not get across, so he ran off to offer his assistance. **Diogenes** accosted the ferryman and said, 'Well, I do not feel in your debt any longer for the favour that you did me. This is not an act of judgment on your part - it's an addiction!'
//The story shows that someone who assists both the truly good and those who are undeserving is not seen as a philanthropist, but is instead regarded as a madman.//
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Source: Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura Gibbs. Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002. </blockquote>