(Philosophy Master, Music Master, Dancing Master, Fencing Master, Monsieur Jourdain, Lackeys)
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Aha! Monsieur Philosopher, you come just in time with your philosophy. Come, make a little peace among these people.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
What's happening? What's the matter, gentlemen.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
They have got into a rage over the superiority of their professions to the point of injurious words and of wanting to come to blows.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
What! Gentlemen, must you act this way? Haven't you read the learned treatise that Seneca composed on anger? Is there anything more base and more shameful than this passion, which turns a man into a savage beast? And shouldn't reason be the mistress of all our activities?
DANCING MASTER
Well! Sir, he has just abused both of us by, despising the dance, which I practice, and music, which is his profession.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
A wise man is above all the insults that can be spoken to him; and the grand reply one should make to such outrages is moderation and patience.
FENCING MASTER
They both had the audacity of trying to compare their professions with mine.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
Should that disturb you? Men should not dispute amongst themselves about vainglory and rank; that which perfectly distinguishes one from the other is wisdom and virtue.
DANCING MASTER
I insist to him that dance is a science to which one cannot do enough honor.
MUSIC MASTER
And I, that music is something that all the ages have revered.
FENCING MASTER
And I insist to them that the science of fencing is the finest and the most necessary of all sciences.
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
And where then will philosophy be? I find you all very impertinent to speak with this arrogance in front of me, and impudently to give the name of science to things that one should not even honor with the name of art, and that cannot be classified except under the name of miserable gladiator, singer, and buffoon!
FENCING MASTER
Get out, you dog of a philosopher!
MUSIC MASTER
Get out, you worthless pedant!
DANCING MASTER
Get out, you ill-mannered cur!
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
What! Rascals that you are ... (The philosopher flings himself at them, and all three go out fighting).
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Monsieur Philosopher!
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
Rogues! Scoundrels! Insolent dogs!
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Monsieur Philosopher!
FENCING MASTER
A pox on the beast!
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
Impudent rogues!
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Monsieur Philosopher!
DANCING MASTER
The devil take the jackass!
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Monsieur Philosopher!
MUSIC MASTER
To the devil with the impertinent fellow!
PHILOSOPHY MASTER
Rascals! Beggars! Traitors! Impostors! (They leave).
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Monsieur Philosopher, Gentlemen! Monsieur Philosopher! Gentlemen! Monsieur Philosopher! Oh! Fight as much as you like. I don't know what to do, and I'll not spoil my robe to separate you. I would be a fool to go among them and receive some damaging blow.
