Gargantua and Pantagruel

by François Rabelais

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"Rob Peter To Pay Paul"

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By robbing Peter he paid Paul, he kept the moon from the wolves, and hoped to catch larks if ever the heavens should fall. He did make of necessity virtue, of such bread such pottage, and cared as little for the peeled as for the shaven.

In this excerpt from Rabelais's "Gargantua and Pantagruel," the phrase "robbing Peter to pay Paul" epitomizes the idea of solving one problem by creating another. This proverb, alongside other idiomatic expressions in the passage, conveys the resourceful yet reckless nature of Gargantua. It highlights how he navigates life's challenges with a blend of ingenuity and nonchalance, making the best of what is available and showing indifference to trivial distinctions. The vivid imagery of "keeping the moon from the wolves" and "hoping to catch larks if ever the heavens should fall" underscores his audacious approach to impossible pursuits. Gargantua's actions reflect the human tendency to grapple with the paradoxes and absurdities of existence, emphasizing a resourceful pragmatism in the face of life's unpredictability.

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