I don't know what to do, and I'll not spoil my robe to
separate you. I would be a fool to go among them and receive some
damaging blow.
ACT TWO
SCENE IV (Philosophy Master, Monsieur Jourdain)
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: (Straightening the collar that indicates he is a
Philosopher) Now to our lesson.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Oh! Sir, I am distressed by the blows they gave
you.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: It's nothing. A philosopher knows how to take
these things and I'll compose a satire against them, in the style
of Juvenal, which will fix them nicely. Let it be. What would you
like to learn?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Everything I can, for I have every desire in the
world to be educated, and I'm furious that my father and mother did
not make me study all the sciences when I was young.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: This is a reasonable sentiment. Nam sine
doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago. You understand that, and you
doubtless know Latin?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Yes, but act as if I did not know it. Tell me
what it says.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: It says that without science life is almost an
image of death.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: That Latin is right.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: Don't you know some principles, some basics of
the sciences?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Oh yes! I can read and write.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: Where would it please you for us to begin? Would
you like me to teach you logic?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: What is this logic?
PHILOSOPHY MASTER: It is that which teaches the three operations of
the mind.
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