2–3
Diogenes
Old, bald, with a cloak that allows him plenty of light and ventilation, and is patched all colours of the rainbow; always laughing, and usually gibing at pretentious philosophers,
Pollux
Ah, I cannot mistake him now.
Diogenes
May I give you another message to those same philosophers?
Pollux
Oh, I don’t mind; go on.
5
Diogenes
Charge them generally to give up playing the fool, quarrelling over metaphysics, tricking each other with horn and crocodile puzzles,See Puzzles in Notes. and teaching people to waste wit on such absurdities.
Pollux
Oh, but if I say anything against their wisdom, they will call me an ignorant blockhead.
Diogenes
Then tell them from me to go to the devil.
Pollux
Very well; rely upon me.
Diogenes
And then, my most obliging of Polluxes, there is this for the rich:—O vain fools, why hoard gold? why all these pains over interest sums and the adding of hundred to hundred, when you must shortly come to us with nothing beyond the dead-penny?
Pollux
They shall have their message too.
Diogenes
Ah, and a word to the handsome and strong; Megillus of Corinth, and Damoxenus the wrestler will do. Inform them that auburn locks, eyes bright or black, rosy cheeks, are as little in fashion here as tense muscles or mighty shoulders; man and man are as like as two peas, tell them, when it comes to bare skull and no beauty.
Pollux
That is to the handsome and strong; yes, I can manage that.
