Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Parallel - Philosopher's Toothache

Shakespeare:

"For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently
,"
   Much Ado About Nothing 5.1.35-6

Bacon: "It is more than a philosopher morally can digest; ...I esteem it like the pulling out of an aching tooth, which i remember when I was a child and had little philosophy, I was glad when it was done."
   Letter to the Earl of Essex

Comment: The impatience of a philosopher with toothache sounds as though it may have had some classical origin, but editors do not mention any.

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