Diogenes on lentils

The philosopher Diogenes was dining on bread and lentils. He was seen by the philosopher Aristippus who lived in considerable comfort by fawning on the king.

Said Aristippus, “Learn subservience to the king and you will not live on lentils.”

Said Diogenes, “Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to cultivate the king.”

Anthony de Mello in The Song of the Bird