Antisthenes was a Greek philosopher, author, and orator who advocated a life of virtue, hardship, and hard work, among other desirable traits. He taught that virtue (defined as moral excellence) was the primary consideration of a great man. His works advocate virtue in thought, and of greater importance, virtue in action as special indicators of greatness. It is difficult to live a life of virtue, in mind and deed, but Antisthenes welcomed the hardship and the struggle.
He was a soldier of some renown then became a student of the teacher Socrates, whose general philosophical construct coalesced with that of Antisthenes. In time, upon the death of Socrates, Antisthenes took over his teachings and expanded his concepts. Antisthenes took every thought and action to its extreme. For example, he lived a deliberate life of deprivation and was bereft of material possessions. He was ridiculed and reviled by many - but took pleasure in the criticism because it verified, in his mind, the virtue of his ways.
Antisthenes believed that virtue arose from strength, and he trained both his mind and body to become strong. One must be strong, he said, in order to best pursue morality for himself and others. He undertook strenuous work and always looked for the most challenging physical and mental tasks. The ultimate strength of a virtuous man results from both self-control and independence from matters of worldly needs.
Be a strong man of virtue, like Antisthenes.
From August 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
He was a soldier of some renown then became a student of the teacher Socrates, whose general philosophical construct coalesced with that of Antisthenes. In time, upon the death of Socrates, Antisthenes took over his teachings and expanded his concepts. Antisthenes took every thought and action to its extreme. For example, he lived a deliberate life of deprivation and was bereft of material possessions. He was ridiculed and reviled by many - but took pleasure in the criticism because it verified, in his mind, the virtue of his ways.
Antisthenes believed that virtue arose from strength, and he trained both his mind and body to become strong. One must be strong, he said, in order to best pursue morality for himself and others. He undertook strenuous work and always looked for the most challenging physical and mental tasks. The ultimate strength of a virtuous man results from both self-control and independence from matters of worldly needs.
Be a strong man of virtue, like Antisthenes.
From August 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
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