Graeco-Roman Parables
✦ Socrates
1. Euthyphro’s Dilemma
One morning, outside the Athenian court,
Socrates encountered Euthyphro,
a self-proclaimed expert on piety.
Euthyphro was prosecuting his own father for murder,
convinced he was acting piously.
Socrates asked him to define “sacred.”
Euthyphro answered confidently,
“Sacred is what the gods love.”
Socrates asked,
“Do the gods love it because it is sacred,
or is it sacred because the gods love it?”
2. The Soldier’s Helmet
A proud soldier showed Socrates
his gleaming helmet and armor,
boasting of their fine workmanship.
Socrates lifted the helmet
and examined it carefully.
Then he asked,
“Does this iron make you wise?”
The soldier had no answer.
Socrates smiled gently and said,
“Then it is only heavy iron
upon your head.”
✦ Diogenes the Cynic
1. Diogenes and Alexander
When Alexander marched into Corinth,
he sought out the Cynic philosopher.
He found Diogenes lying in the sun,
indifferent to the royal entourage.
Alexander said,
“I am Alexander.
Ask anything, and I will grant it.”
Diogenes replied,
“Yes. Step aside —
you are blocking my sunlight.”
The courtiers laughed.
Alexander said,
“If I were not Alexander,
I would wish to be Diogenes.”
2. At the Slave Market
Diogenes was captured by pirates
and put up for sale.
When asked his trade,
he replied boldly,
“I know how to govern men.
Sell me to one who needs a master.”
A wealthy Corinthian bought him.
Instead of living as a slave,
Diogenes became teacher and advisor
within the household.
3. The Pile of Bones
Alexander once saw Diogenes
sorting through human bones.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Diogenes replied,
“I am searching for your father’s bones,
but I cannot distinguish them
from those of a slave.”
The conqueror fell silent.
4. The Wealthy Banquet
At a lavish banquet,
Diogenes saw guests
boasting about food and wine.
He threw scraps on the ground
and sat with the dogs,
eating beside them.
The host scolded him.
Diogenes replied,
“These dogs eat honestly
without display.
You eat worse than they,
wrapped in vanity.”
5. The Stolen Lamp
One night,
a thief stole Diogenes’ lamp
from his barrel.
The next morning he said,
“The thief thought he stole light.
He took only a lamp.
He remains in darkness still.”
✦ Epictetus the Stoic
1. The Lost Lamp
Epictetus owned little,
including a small iron lamp.
One day it was stolen.
His students asked
if he was angry.
He replied,
“I lost nothing that matters.
I am freer now.
Tonight I will sleep in darkness —
and it will not harm me.”
2. The Emperor’s Threats
When asked how he faced threats
from Caesar,
Epictetus said:
“If Caesar says,
‘I will chain you,’
I answer,
‘You may chain my leg,
but not my will.’
If he threatens death,
I say,
‘Kill my body —
you cannot harm me.’”
✦ Seneca
1. Last Hours
Nero condemned Seneca to death.
His veins were cut,
yet he comforted his disciples
instead of himself.
He dictated teachings
as his life faded.
Given poison,
and later suffocated by steam,
he lifted water and said,
“I give this
to the one who frees me.”
His wife Paulina tried to die with him.
Seneca urged her to live bravely:
“If my example helps you,
live on.
Show courage in life,
not only in death.”
2. Borrowed Time
A wealthy Roman told Seneca
that life was too short
for philosophy.
Seneca replied:
“Life is not short —
it is squandered.
You guard money with locks,
but let others steal your hours.
You act as if you will live forever,
though you pay death daily.
One day lived with awareness
is enough.
A hundred years wasted
will never suffice.”
The Roman left in silence.
✦ Marcus Aurelius
1. On Death
In his campaign tent,
Marcus wrote:
“Alexander the Great
and his mule-driver
both died,
and the same earth
covers them.”
He reminded himself
that fame is smoke,
glory fleeting,
and death equalizes all.
2. On Rotten Fish
Marcus trained himself
to see through appearances.
“Think of roasted meat,”
he wrote,
“and it is a dead animal.
Think of fine wine,
and it is grape juice.
Think of sex,
and it is friction
and spasm.”