The opening of Bacon’s essay “Of Marriage and Single Life”: “He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly, the best works, and of the greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men.” Bacon was […]
Francis Bacon on marriage versus the single life Read More »
Poem by Anonymous*: Here, richly, with ridiculous display,The Politician’s corpse was laid away.While all of his acquaintance sneered and slanged,I wept: for I had longed to see him hanged. * * * [Update: A reader informs me (thanks!) that Hilaire Belloc is the author of the poem.]
The Politician’s Funeral [Humor] Read More »
[Frank advice about a “violent natural inclination” from sage Benjamin Franklin, supposing that celibacy is not a desirable option.] “But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking that Commerce with the Sex is inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice that in your Amours you should prefer old Women to young
On affairs with older women (classic advice from Benjamin Franklin) Read More »
At a meeting of the college faculty, an angel suddenly appears and tells the head of the philosophy department, “I will grant you whichever of three blessings you choose: Wisdom, Beauty — or ten million dollars.” Immediately, the professor chooses Wisdom. There is a flash of lightning, and the professor appears transformed — but he
Philosophy humor — The nature of wisdom Read More »
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are on a camping trip. In the middle of the night Holmes wakes up and gives Watson a nudge. “Watson,” he says, “look up in the sky and tell me what you see.” “I see millions of stars, Holmes,” says Watson. “And what do you conclude from that, Watson?” Watson
Philosophy humor — Logical inference Read More »
A man wins $100,000 in Las Vegas and, not wanting anyone to know about it, he takes it home and buries it in his backyard. The next morning he goes out back and finds only an empty hole. He sees footprints leading to the house next door, which belongs to a deaf-mute, so he asks
Philosophy humor — Ethics and honesty Read More »
Three women are in a locker room dressing to play racquetball when a man runs through wearing nothing but a bag over his head. The first woman looks at his penis and says, “Well, it’s not my husband.” The second woman says, “No, it isn’t.” The third woman says, “He’s not even a member of
Philosophy humor — Knowledge and esse est percipi Read More »
From the still-hilarious files. Changing times. Rembrandt van Rijn (1653) and Michael Crawford (1992).
Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, Then and Now Read More »