"The vine bears three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of intoxication, the third of disgust"

This quote by Diogenes is a metaphor for life. He is recommending that life has three phases: enjoyment, intoxication, and disgust. The first phase of enjoyment is when we are young and life has plenty of delight and excitement. We are filled with optimism and interest for the future. The 2nd phase of intoxication is when we end up being older and life becomes more complex. We end up being more familiar with our mortality and the world around us. We may become overwhelmed by the challenges and battles of life. The third phase of disgust is when we become even older and life has actually become excessive. We end up being disillusioned and negative, and we might feel that life has no meaning or function. Diogenes is suggesting that life is a cycle of satisfaction, intoxication, and disgust, which we ought to accept and accept all 3 stages.