--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was seized and dragged off to King…" description: "\"He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, \"A spy upon your insatiable greed.\"\" — Diogenes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png" --- # He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being… ![“He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, "A spy upon your insatiable greed."” quote by Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png) > “He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, "A spy upon your insatiable greed."” [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man claims he is a spy, accusing the king of insatiable greed, highlighting corruption and suspicion. **In simple terms:** He accuses the king of endless greed, calling himself a spy. Key Takeaway Question authority and expose greed. Themes politics corruption skepticism truth Mood critical skeptical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - court intrigue - political dissent - ethical debate Key Concepts philosophical critique satire Questions to Reflect On - What motivates such bold accusations? - How does greed affect leadership? A Different Perspective Risk of being dismissed as a liar or troublemaker. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Insatiable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insatiable/) [Insatiable Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insatiable-greed-3441411/) [King Philip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-philip-3118755/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Philip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philip/) [Philip Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philip-asked-1363410/) [Replied Spy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/replied-spy-3441410/) [Seized Dragged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seized-dragged-3441409/) [Spy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spy/) ## Related quotes > [One of the most dangerously vicious circles menacing the continued existence of all mankind arises through that grim striving for the highest possible position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/one-of-the-most-dangerously-vicious-circles-menacing-the-continued/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [It was not curiosity that killed the goose who laid the golden egg, but an insatiable greed that devoured common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-was-not-curiosity-that-killed-the-goose-who-laid-the-golden-egg/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In faith, there is no asking for anything. To have any insatiable greed is blind faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-faith-there-is-no-asking-for-anything-to-have-any-insatiable-greed/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [He (King Philip) wanted as many Greeks as possible to take part in the festivities in honour of the gods, and so planned brilliant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diodorus-siculus/he-king-philip-wanted-as-many-greeks-as-possible-to-take-part-in-the/) [Diodorus Siculus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diodorus-siculus/) > [“How do you like her?" Philip asked, nodding toward Meg. "She's perfect." And she really was. "Just spirited enough to keep it interesting without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-donaldson/how-do-you-like-her-philip-asked-nodding-toward-meg-she-s-perfect-and/) [Julianne Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-donaldson/) > [“This Sarah Perez had the most beautiful eyes in the world, those green eyes spangled with gold that you love so much: the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-lorrain/this-sarah-perez-had-the-most-beautiful-eyes-in-the-world-those-green/) [Jean Lorrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-lorrain/) > [“Philip himself asked desperately what was the use of living at all. It all seemed inane. It was the same with Cronshaw: it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/philip-himself-asked-desperately-what-was-the-use-of-living-at-all-it/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“There are two possible responses to a world suddenly gripped by terror and contention. There is the Moseley way: get mad and get even.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/there-are-two-possible-responses-to-a-world-suddenly-gripped-by/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“Loretta’s eyes flashed. “Is that what gets you through the night, Philip?” she asked. “Choosing to believe something, whether it’s true or not?” “In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-h-cook/loretta-s-eyes-flashed-is-that-what-gets-you-through-the-night-philip/) [Thomas H. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-h-cook/) > [Irrespective of any external, regulatory force, our capacity for feeling is in itself an insatiable and bottomless abyss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-durkheim/irrespective-of-any-external-regulatory-force-our-capacity-for/) [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) > [ My colleagues in elementary particle theory in many lands \[and I\] are driven by the usual insatiable curiosity of the scientist, and our work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-gell-mann/my-colleagues-in-elementary-particle-theory-in-many-lands-and-i-are/) [Murray Gell-Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-gell-mann/) > [But weightier still are the contentment which comes from work well done, the sense of the value of science for its own sake, insatiable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-joseph-henderson/but-weightier-still-are-the-contentment-which-comes-from-work-well/) [Lawrence Joseph Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-joseph-henderson/) > [Chinese workers are not forced into factories because of our insatiable desire for iPods. They choose to leave their homes in order to earn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-t-chang/chinese-workers-are-not-forced-into-factories-because-of-our/) [Leslie T. Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-t-chang/) > [Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/nature-has-planted-in-our-minds-an-insatiable-longing-to-see-the-truth/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The desire for possession is insatiable, to such a point that it can survive even love itself. To love, therefore, is to sterilize the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-desire-for-possession-is-insatiable-to-such-a-point-that-it-can/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## More by Diogenes > [Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/dogs-and-philosophers-do-the-greatest-good-and-get-the-fewest-rewards/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Perdiccas threatened to put him to death unless he came to him, "That's nothing wonderful," Diogenes said, "for a beetle or a tarantula would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/perdiccas-threatened-to-put-him-to-death-unless-he-came-to-him-that-s/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [If only it was as easy to banish hunger by rubbing the belly as it is to masturbate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/if-only-it-was-as-easy-to-banish-hunger-by-rubbing-the-belly-as-it-is/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [He has the most who is most content with the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-has-the-most-who-is-most-content-with-the-least/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/in-a-rich-man-s-house-there-is-no-place-to-spit-but-his-face/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Chilo advised, "not to speak evil of the dead."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/chilo-advised-not-to-speak-evil-of-the-dead/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [There is a false love that will make you something you are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/there-is-a-false-love-that-will-make-you-something-you-are-not/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [“And at last, becoming a complete misanthrope, he used to live, spending his time in walking about the mountains; feeding on grasses and plants,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/and-at-last-becoming-a-complete-misanthrope-he-used-to-live-spending/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Most men are within a finger's breadth of being mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/most-men-are-within-a-finger-s-breadth-of-being-mad/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [It takes a wise man to discover a wise man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/it-takes-a-wise-man-to-discover-a-wise-man/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [I am Diogenes the Dog. I nuzzle the kind, bark at the greedy and bite scoundrels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/i-am-diogenes-the-dog-i-nuzzle-the-kind-bark-at-the-greedy-and-bite/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [To become self-educated you should condemn yourself for all those things that you would criticize others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/to-become-self-educated-you-should-condemn-yourself-for-all-those/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/it-is-the-privilege-of-the-gods-to-want-nothing-and-of-godlike-men-to/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/those-who-have-virtue-always-in-their-mouths-and-neglect-it-in/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [I am looking for a human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/i-am-looking-for-a-human/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) [Explore all 114 Diogenes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) ## More Greed quotes > [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“The fact that they viewed their wealth as a result of their own hands, without any honor other than lip service being given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/the-fact-that-they-viewed-their-wealth-as-a-result-of-their-own-hands/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) > [“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/be-fearful-when-others-are-greedy-and-be-greedy-when-others-are/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [avarice breeds envy, a worm that is always gnawing, letting the avaricious enjoy neither their own nor anyone else's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/avarice-breeds-envy-a-worm-that-is-always-gnawing-letting-the/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Who does not know that kings and rulers sprang from men who were ignorant of God, who assumed because of blind greed and intolerable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-vii/who-does-not-know-that-kings-and-rulers-sprang-from-men-who-were/) [Pope Gregory VII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-vii/) > [''And one day when all is gone and mankind is lost, all he leaves is the desert.'' ''For man is his own demise the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/and-one-day-when-all-is-gone-and-mankind-is-lost-all-he-leaves-is-the/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [“Wisdom teaches us that our real enemies are never other living beings. They are ignorance and its minions, including greed, hatred, anger, pride, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-newland/wisdom-teaches-us-that-our-real-enemies-are-never-other-living-beings/) [Guy Newland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-newland/) > [“Suckers think that you cure greed with money, addiction with substances, expert problems with experts, banking with bankers, economics with economists, and debt crises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/suckers-think-that-you-cure-greed-with-money-addiction-with/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [The universe appears to me like an immense, inexorable torture-garden…Passions, greed, hatred, and lies; social institutions, justice, love, glory, heroism, and religion: these are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octave-mirbeau/the-universe-appears-to-me-like-an-immense-inexorable-torture-garden/) [Octave Mirbeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octave-mirbeau/) > [“Thankfulness acknowledges that we can’t own anything, but we can experience everything. And just knowing that makes me thankful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/thankfulness-acknowledges-that-we-can-t-own-anything-but-we-can/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Con men look for human frailty to exploit. This is most often greed. Trump found a different vice: anger. The emotional are always the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-meyer/con-men-look-for-human-frailty-to-exploit-this-is-most-often-greed/) [Pamela Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-meyer/) [Browse all 2,232 Greed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, \"A spy upon your insatiable greed.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diogenes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-philip-and-being-asked-who-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Greed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-philip-and-being-asked-who-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/diogenes-4214_greed_he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-ph_379077.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He was seized and dragged off to King Philip, and being asked who he was, replied, \"A spy upon your…” — Diogenes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diogenes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He was seized and dragged off...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-philip-and-being-asked-who-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-was-seized-and-dragged-off-to-king-philip-and-being-asked-who-he/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```