SANE AS SAGE

Alexander of Macedonia, a zealous ancient proponent of "Peace through Strength," imposed Grecian "law and order" throughout the then-known world by the sword.

Aristotle, an exceptionally gifted apologist of the day, justified the immorality of Alexander's conquests by writing treatises to explain that the gods had created Greeks as a superior race, and those butchered by Alexander's swords had been divinely intended as slaves for the Greeks.

The effects of Aristotle's thinking are still apparent in what is sometimes called western civilization, and most of us have been taught to think of Aristotle as a sage. Not nearly as many of us remember Diogenes, but in those days Diogenes was widely renowned for his wisdom.

Both Diogenes and Aristotle had been greatly influenced by the thinking of Socrates. Socrates embodied the pivotal tenet of his philosophy -- it is better to suffer harm than to inflict harm on others -- through a life of voluntary poverty in search of truth.

Aristotle made a radical departure from Socrates' primary premise by taking up residence in the luxurious court of Alexander's daddy, King Phillip. Diogenes exaggerated the tradition of Socrates by living in a tub in the marketplace to exemplify his belief that wealth resides in the soul rather than the pocketbook.

It is said that Alexander, hoping to find some wisdom for himself, once sought out Diogenes. The story goes that when Alexander found him Diogenes was reading. Grandly Alexander stood before him, casting his shadow over Diogenes and offered to give the sage anything he would ask, up to half of his kingdom. The thinker merely asked the warrior to step out of his light.