Shortly before death Demonax was asked what his wishes were regarding funeral arrangements.
‘Don’t trouble yourself, the stench will ensure that I get buried.’
‘But,’ the other objected, ‘isn’t it wrong that the body of a great man should be exposed as food for birds and dogs?’
‘On the contrary,’ he said, ‘it’s the part of a great man, even in death, to be of service to the living.’