The name (Cynic, dog-like) denotes this peculiarity.

The anecdotes relating to Diogenes illustrate his coarse denunciation of men in general and their luxurious ways.

He set at defiance all the conventions of courtesy and of decency; spoke his mind on everything without fear or remorse; and delighted in his antagonism to public opinion.

He followed the public and obtrusive life of Sokrates, but instead of dialectic skill, his force lay in vituperation, sarcasm, and repartee.

'To Sokrates,' says Epiktetus, 'Zeus assigned the cross-examining function; to Diogenes, the magisterial and chastising function; to Zeno (the Stoic), the didactic and dogmatical.' The Cynics had thus in full measure one of the rewards of asceticism, the pride of superiority and power.