7–9
Hermes
He does not mind being sold at all, for he believes he is free in all circumstances.
Buyer
What use could one put such a dirty, ill-conditioned fellow to, unless you set him to digging or carrying water?
Hermes
Those are not his only uses. If you make a hall-porter of him you will find you can rely on him better than on your dogs; in fact, he has even the name of a dog.
Buyer
Where does he come from and what discipline does he profess?
10
Hermes
Ask the man himself; that is the better way.
Buyer
I am afraid of him, with his sullen, dark look, lest he should bark and spring at me, and bite me, too, by Zeus! See how he brandishes his club, and knits his brows, and scowls beneath them in that threatening, angry way!
Hermes
Don't be afraid; he is tame.
Buyer
In the first place, my friend, where are you from?
Diogones
You see before you a citizen of the world.
Buyer
And who is your model?
5
Buyer
Then why don't you wear the lion-skin, too? You are like him as far as the club goes.
Diogones
This is my lion-skin, my threadbare coat. Like him, I make war on pleasures; not under orders, but of my own will, deliberately choosing to purify life.
Buyer
A noble choice! But just what are we to understand that you know? What art are you master of?
Diogones
I am the liberator of mankind and the physician of their passions; but, above all, I wish to be the prophet of truth and free speech.
10
Buyer
Come, prophet, if I buy you, what training will you put me through?
