Diogenes Defended Public Masturbation Philosophically

According to third-century AD biographer Diogenes Laertius, fourth-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope often masturbated in public, an act considered scandalous in ancient Greece. When confronted, he replied, "If only it were as easy to banish hunger by rubbing my belly." He also jokingly credited the Greek god Hermes with inventing masturbation to relieve his son Pan's unfulfilled desire for Echo.

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