Diogenes (Stand out of my Sunlight)

Diogenes of Sinope
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Diogenes by John William Waterhouse, depicting his lamp, tub, and diet of onions.
Full name Diogenes (Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς)
Birth ca. 412 BC, Sinope
Death 323 BC,
Corinth School/tradition Greek philosophy, Cynicism
Main interests Asceticism, Cynicism
Notable ideas Became the archetypal Cynic philosopher

Influenced by Antisthenes Influenced Crates of Thebes, other Cynics, the Stoics Diogenes (Greek: Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς Diogenes ho Sinopeus) "the Cynic", Greek philosopher, was born in Sinope (modern day Sinop, Turkey) about 412 BC (according to other sources 404 BC),[1] and died in 323 BC,[2] at Corinth. Details of his life come in the form of anecdotes (chreia), especially from Diogenes Laërtius, in his book Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers.

Diogenes of Sinope was exiled from his native city and moved to Athens, where he is said to have become a disciple of Antisthenes, the former pupil of Socrates. Diogenes, a beggar who made his home in the streets of Athens, made a virtue of extreme poverty. He is said to have lived in a large tub, rather than a house, and to have walked through the streets carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for an honest man. He eventually settled in Corinth where he continued to pursue the Cynic ideal of self-sufficiency: a life which was natural and not dependent upon the luxuries of civilization. Believing that virtue was better revealed in action and not theory, his life was a relentless campaign to debunk the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope

The story goes that while Diogenes was relaxing in the sunlight one morning, Alexander, thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, asked if there was any favour he might do for him. Diogenes replied, "Yes: Stand out of my sunlight."