Editing Metrocles (section)

==Life==
The supposed story of Metrocles' conversion to [[Cynicism (philosophy)|Cynic]]ism is reported by [[Diogenes Laërtius]].<ref name="diog94">Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 94</ref> Metrocles had apparently [[flatulence|farted]] while practicing a speech, and became so upset that he shut himself up in his home, attempting to commit suicide by [[starving]] himself. [[Crates of Thebes|Crates]] visited him and made him a dinner of [[lupin beans|lupines]],<ref>Lupin beans were notorious for causing flatulence.</ref> explaining to him that what he had done was according to nature and therefore nothing to be ashamed of. When Crates himself farted to demonstrate how natural it was, Metrocles was persuaded to let go of his shame.

Whether or not this story is true, the [[symbol]]ism for the Cynics is that it demonstrated the worthlessness of Metrocles' education up until that time. As a pupil of [[Theophrastus]] he may have learned a lot of information, but he was still obsessed with social conventions and good manners, to the point of being ready to die from embarrassment.  With Crates' help he was able to let go of his old ways and embrace a Cynic life free from convention, and find true [[happiness]].

Equally significant is a passage preserved in the writings of [[Teles the Cynic|Teles]], who tells how Metrocles as a young student of the [[Lyceum]] and the [[Platonic Academy|Academy]] could not keep up with the extravagant life-style requirements:
<blockquote>When he was studying with Theophrastus and Xenocrates, although many things were being sent to him from home, he was in constant fear of dying from hunger and was always destitute and in want. But when he later changed over to Crates, he could feed even another person though nothing was sent from home. For in the former case he had to have shoes,... then a cloak, a following of slaves, and a grand house; for the common table he had to see that the breads were pure, the delicacies above the ordinary, the wine sweet, the entertainment appropriate, so that here there was much expense.  For among them such a way of life was judged to be 'liberal.'<ref>Teles, ''Fragment 4a'', quoted in David A. Holgate (1999), ''Prodigality, Liberality and Meanness in the Parable of the Prodigal Son'', page 151. Continuum International. and in J. Bryant, (1996), ''Moral Codes and Social Structure in Ancient Greece'', page 525. SUNY Press.</ref></blockquote>

According to [[Hecato of Rhodes]], Metrocles burned all his writings, but others said it was only the notes he took in the school of Theophrastus that he burned.<ref name="diog95">Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 95</ref> It may have been via Metrocles that his sister [[Hipparchia of Maroneia|Hipparchia]] met Crates, whom she later married, thus also becoming a Cynic. [[Plutarch]] represents Metrocles as sleeping in the winter amongst [[sheep]], and in the summer in the porches of [[Greek temple|temples]].<ref>Plutarch, ''[[Moralia]]''</ref> He apparently knew the [[Megarian school|Megarian]] philosopher [[Stilpo]] and disputed with him,<ref>Plutarch, ''De Tranquilliate Animi'', vi. 468</ref> and Stilpo wrote a dialogue called ''Metrocles''.<ref>Diogenes Laertius, ii. 120</ref> In his biography of Metrocles, Diogenes Laërtius seemingly lists a number of his pupils,<ref name="diog95"/> but the list probably refers to Crates.<ref>R. Bracht Branham, Marie-Odile Goulet-Cazé, (2000), ''The Cynics: The Cynic Movement in Antiquity and Its Legacy'', page 398. Cf. page 392 pointing out that Diogenes Laertius vi. 98 also returns to the biography of Crates.</ref> Metrocles died at a great age, and is said to have deliberately [[suffocated]] himself.<ref name="diog95"/>