LE PHILOSOPHE SCYTHE
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
Once, a man lived in a cold land. He wanted to be happy. He came from a far place. It was a very cold place. He went to a warm, sunny place. He wanted a good, happy life there.
The Man from Far Away saw a garden. It was a very nice garden. Many fruit trees grew there. A kind old man worked in the garden. He was The Wise Gardener. He cut the plants with a small tool. He cut them with care.
The Man from Far Away saw him. He saw many cut branches. He thought, "Plants hurt!" "Why cut plants?" Are you mean? He did not get this.
The Wise Gardener smiled. He held his small cutting tool. He said, "I cut the old parts. I cut the bad parts. Then the good parts grow. They grow big and strong. They make yummy fruit. The fruit is very sweet for all."
The Man from Far Away went back home. He thought about The Wise Gardener. He thought, "Cut my plants!" He bought a big tool. But he did not know why The Wise Gardener cut. He did not get the reason.
The Man from Far Away started to cut. Snip, snip, snip! He cut his plants. He cut leaves. He cut branches. He cut flowers. He cut all! He did not think about the season. He told his friends, "You cut your plants too!" He cut too much.
Oh no! The man's plants got sick. They turned brown and weak. They did not grow any fruit. All his plants died. His garden was very sad. His garden was empty now.
The man cut too much. He did not know what to keep. He did not know what to take away. So, his garden died. It is good to cut some things. But not all things. We must know what to keep. We must know what to take away. We must be wise.
Original Story
LE PHILOSOPHE SCYTHE.
Un philosophe austère, et né dans la Scythie,
Se proposant de suivre une plus douce vie,
Voyagea chez les Grecs, et vit en certains lieux
Un sage assez semblable au vieillard de Virgile,
Homme égalant les rois, homme approchant des dieux,
Et, comme ces derniers, satisfait et tranquille.
Son bonheur consistoit aux beautés d’un jardin.
Le Scythe l’y trouva qui, la serpe à la main,
De ses arbres à fruit retranchoit l’inutile,
Ébranchoit, émondoit, ôtoit ceci, cela,
Corrigeant partout la nature,
Excessive à payer ses soins avec usure.
Le Scythe alors lui demanda
Pourquoi cette ruine: étoit-il d’homme sage
De mutiler ainsi ces pauvres habitants?
Quittez-moi votre serpe, instrument de dommage;
Laissez agir la faux du temps:
Ils iront assez tôt border le noir rivage.
J’ôte le superflu, dit l’autre, et l’abattant,
Le reste en profite d’autant.
Le Scythe, retourné dans sa triste demeure,
Prend la serpe à son tour, coupe et taille à toute heure;
Conseille à ses voisins, prescrit à ses amis
Un universel abatis.
Il ôte de chez lui les branches les plus belles,
Il tronque son verger contre toute raison,
Sans observer temps ni saison,
Lunes ni vieilles ni nouvelles.
Tout languit et tout meurt.
Ce Scythe exprime bien
Un indiscret stoïcien:
Celui-ci retranche de l’âme
Désirs et passions, le bon et le mauvais,
Jusqu’aux plus innocents souhaits.
Contre de telles gens, quant à moi, je réclame.
Ils ôtent à nos cœurs le principal ressort;
Ils font cesser de vivre avant que l’on soit mort.
XXI
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom lies in discerning what to prune and what to preserve, not in indiscriminate destruction of passions or nature.
Plot Summary
An austere Scythian philosopher travels to Greece and observes a wise sage carefully pruning his garden. The sage explains he removes the superfluous to benefit the whole. Misunderstanding this lesson, the Scythian returns home and indiscriminately cuts everything in his own garden, causing it to die. The fable concludes by comparing this folly to an extreme Stoicism that eradicates all passions, good and bad, from the soul, thereby stifling life itself.
Themes
Emotional Arc
ignorance to misguided action to failure
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
La Fontaine often used classical references and fables to comment on human nature and philosophy, frequently critiquing extremes or lack of discernment.
Plot Beats (8)
- A severe Scythian philosopher travels to Greece, seeking a more pleasant life.
- He observes a wise Greek sage meticulously pruning his fruit trees in a beautiful garden.
- The Scythian, seeing only destruction, questions the sage why he mutilates the trees.
- The sage explains that he removes the superfluous parts so that the remaining parts can thrive.
- The Scythian returns to his homeland, misinterpreting the sage's lesson.
- He begins to cut and prune his own garden indiscriminately, advising his neighbors to do the same, without regard for reason, season, or lunar cycles.
- As a result, all his plants languish and die.
- The narrator concludes by comparing the Scythian's folly to an indiscreet Stoic who removes all desires and passions, good and bad, from the soul, thereby stifling life itself.
Characters
The Scythian Philosopher
A man of robust build, accustomed to the harsh climate of Scythia. Likely broad-shouldered and sturdy, with a weathered complexion from outdoor life. His height would be average for a man of his region, perhaps slightly taller and more imposing than the Greek sage.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a Scythian philosopher. Likely made of durable wool or leather, perhaps a tunic over trousers, with a cloak for warmth. Colors would be earthy and muted, reflecting his austere lifestyle. No elaborate adornments.
Wants: To find a 'softer life' and improve his existence, initially by observing and emulating others. He seeks wisdom and betterment, but his approach is flawed.
Flaw: Lack of discernment and nuance. He applies principles too broadly and without understanding the underlying context or moderation, leading to destructive outcomes.
He begins by seeking wisdom and observing a different way of life. He attempts to emulate what he sees but misinterprets the lesson, leading to destruction and failure, ultimately serving as a cautionary example of indiscreet stoicism.
Austere, dogmatic, unyielding, imitative, indiscreet. He is quick to adopt a principle but lacks the nuance and understanding to apply it correctly.
The Greek Sage
An elderly man, perhaps of average height but with a lean, active build, suggesting a life of thoughtful labor rather than idleness. His movements would be deliberate and precise.
Attire: Simple, clean, and practical Greek attire. A light linen chiton or tunic, possibly belted at the waist, in natural white or light earth tones. Perhaps simple leather sandals. His clothing would be well-maintained but not luxurious, reflecting his focus on nature and simplicity.
Wants: To cultivate his garden and, by extension, his life, achieving happiness and tranquility through careful management and moderation.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; his wisdom seems to be his defining characteristic.
He serves as a static figure of wisdom and an ideal to be observed, but his lesson is misunderstood by the protagonist. He does not change within the story.
Wise, tranquil, content, practical, discerning. He understands the balance of nature and the importance of moderation.
Locations
Greek Sage's Garden
A meticulously maintained garden in ancient Greece, likely featuring olive trees, fig trees, and grapevines, with a clear sense of order and cultivation. The ground would be well-tended earth, possibly with some stone pathways. The air is likely warm and pleasant, indicative of a Mediterranean climate.
Mood: Peaceful, productive, orderly, and serene, reflecting the sage's contentment.
The Scythian philosopher encounters the Greek sage pruning his fruit trees, leading to a philosophical discussion about moderation and excess.
Scythian Philosopher's Dwelling and Orchard
The Scythian's 'triste demeure' (sad dwelling) implies a less refined, possibly more rugged environment. His orchard, initially perhaps wilder or less cultivated than the Greek sage's, becomes a scene of indiscriminate and destructive pruning, leading to withered trees and barren ground. The landscape would reflect the harshness of the Scythian steppes, with hardy, native vegetation.
Mood: Desolate, barren, chaotic, and ultimately dying, reflecting the philosopher's misguided zeal.
The Scythian philosopher returns home and, misunderstanding the sage's lesson, indiscriminately prunes his own orchard, causing everything to die.