Two French students of philosophy

 

November 24, 1992  (I was 48)

 

         Two French students of philosophy, Jacques and René,

were on their way to the university to take an examination on the

principles of the Cartesian view of the mechanistic clockwork of life. 

They had studied long, and success in the test was essential to the

students’ academic advancement.

         Passing a brothel in route to the university, Jacques was

suddenly overtaken by libidinal desires.  He decided to forgo the

examination to satisfy this more basic passion. He urged friend René

to accompany him to the den of inequity. René demurred, and left for

the school while Jacques entered the “établissement de l’amour.”

         In the examination room, the professor inquired of René

regarding the absence of his fellow, Jacques.  René replied, “Alas,

Jacques is always one to put the whores before Descartes.”