A re-post for this Friday the 13th
Cats were domesticated by the ancient Egyptians, who we can thank for their morally superior attitude. Herodotus tells of an Egyptian crowd so enraged by a Roman chariot running over a cat, that they attacked and killed the driver. Incidents like this likely contributed to its lofty self-image.
You are not alone in your dislike of the feline. For example, the skillful lawmaker Pope Gregory IX also held cats in low esteem. During his papacy he declared that the cat was both a symbol and a form of the devil, setting off a cat-killing frenzy.
Relief of Pope Gregory IX, US Congress
On the other hand, we remember him today for the Inquisition, attempts to enslave Jews, and for being called the Antichrist by contemporaries. Also, his extermination of cats is credited for an explosion in the rat population that hastened the spread of the Black Death, killing half the population of Europe.
We see different lessons in other societies. Similar stories are told of the Chinese Emperor Shih Huang Ti and the prophet Muhammad, who, upon finding a cat sleeping on his robe, went on and did not wake it, demonstrating sympathy even for annoying creatures. In ancient Indian writings, Hindus were expected to care for at least one cat in their lifetime; perhaps this taught patience.
It is said that cats are excellent judges of character. Consider this carefully, for it may lead you to the root of your difficulties; your struggles with this cat can teach you patience and understanding.
—Shallow Sage
Source: shallowsage
She would soon discover that tracing that side would be much more difficult.
(Alfred Stevens, 1860-67)
He’d do anything for Mr. Toodles.
(Jacopo Torriti, 1290s)
Q:Hello. I've recently been cat-sitting for my brother. While I've always regarded the cat as a jerk and held it in quite low esteem, Lately I've had to intentionally incite the cat to anger in order to punish it, and thus get it to leave me alone. Is there any way I can effectively deal with it, while retaining my sense of moral superiority over the cat?
Anonymous
Cats were domesticated by the ancient Egyptians, who we can thank for their morally superior attitude. Herodotus tells of an Egyptian crowd so enraged by a Roman chariot running over a cat, that they attacked and killed the driver. Incidents like this likely contributed to its lofty self-image.
You are not alone in your dislike of the feline. For example, the skillful lawmaker Pope Gregory IX also held cats in low esteem. During his papacy he declared that the cat was both a symbol and a form of the devil, setting off a cat-killing frenzy.
Relief of Pope Gregory IX, US Congress
On the other hand, we remember him today for the Inquisition, attempts to enslave Jews, and for being called the Antichrist by contemporaries. Also, his extermination of cats is credited for an explosion in the rat population that hastened the spread of the Black Death, killing half the population of Europe.
We see different lessons in other societies. Similar stories are told of the Chinese Emperor Shih Huang Ti and the prophet Muhammad, who, upon finding a cat sleeping on his robe, went on and did not wake it, demonstrating sympathy even for annoying creatures. In ancient Indian writings, Hindus were expected to care for at least one cat in their lifetime; perhaps this taught patience.
It is said that cats are excellent judges of character. Consider this carefully, for it may lead you to the root of your difficulties; your struggles with this cat can teach you patience and understanding.
—Shallow Sage
He conveniently forgot how he himself had bombarded passersby from the cliffs above.
(Cranach the Elder, 1520-25)
He’d achieved his goal, but was terrified his story wouldn’t be believed.
(Van Der Wyden, 1448)
Q:My fish just died this morning. Should I justflush it? Bury it in the backyard? Or erect a very elaborate funeral pyre to offer it to the Gods?
Anonymous
Just as most do today, Westerners of the early Renaissance and Medieval periods believed that goldfish were mythical creatures, having only witnessed them in Asian paintings. However, they are quite real, arriving here by falling off the cloud of a heavenly palace, where they had been playing too close to the watery edge.
Since you may have such a magical treasure on your hands, we recommend that you take your fish to your local taxidermist and have it stuffed and mounted for wall display. We are not known for our sentimentality and suggest that you take profits where you can. You may be able to fetch a pretty penny from the rubes in your neighborhood for viewings.
On the other hand, you may have a common fish such as a trout (you did not specify). In that case, you should cook and eat it before it starts to smell.
—Shallow Sage
(Sage Advice - Click the button on the right to ask for advice)
Justin could hardly contain his disappointment.
(Bayeu y Subias, 1786)
Near-wisdom from the ages.
Because people never change.
