Why Not Do It Now?

Diogenes was a famous and very wise man. He found that owning things impaired his enjoyment of life. He narrowed his possessions down to only the clothes on his back and a bowl. Then one day he saw a dog drinking in the river and decided he really did not need a bowl.

He became famous throughout the land. So famous that the most powerful man in the world at that time heard of him. Alexander the Great went to the river where Diogenes spent much time to meet him. They struck up a conversation and Alexander was extremely impressed. Toward the end of this conversation Alexander said to Diogenes. "I admire you more than any man on the face of this earth. One day I would like to be like you. To really relax and know myself."

Diogenes asked, "Why not do it now?"

Alexander said, "No, I can't. First I must conquer the world and then I will come back here and we will spend much time together."

Diogenes replied, "I never conquered the world, why don't you stay now?"

Alexandar answered, "No, first I conquer the world, then I will come back."

Diogenes said, "You will never come back, you will die first."

Alexandar did finish conquering the known world. His last conquest was India and sure enough he died on the way back from India.