THE CYNICS AS PERSONS OF LEISURE

The Cynics, especially Diogenes of Sinope, reportedly enjoyed ‘leisure’ (σχολή) even as they recommended toilsome ‘training’ (ἄσκησις). This paper aims to show that these seemingly opposite motifs are, in fact, closely interrelated, and that ‘leisure’ has implications for the whole scheme of Cynicism that have previously been overlooked. We can understand the connection between these motifs in two ways: first, what drives one to engage in unceasing labour is excessive desire, from which Cynic training frees one, bringing about leisure; second, Cynic leisure is always open to the outside world; it functions as a provocative performance that can, albeit occasionally, urge potential Cynics towards training.