THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE BOATMAN

One day a philosopher was crossing a river in a small boat. While crossing it he said to the boatman: "Do you know anything about mathematics?" "Oh, no", said the boatman. "I do not know anything. "I am very sorry for you," said the philosopher, "because a quarter of your life is lost. A little later the philosopher asked the boatman a second question:" Do you know anything about Physics?" "Oh, no", said the boatman, "I have never heard anything about it." "I am very sorry for you," said the philosopher, "because a second quarter of your life is lost". After some time the philosopher asked the boatman the third question: "Do you know anything about Astronomy?" "Oh, no," answered the boatman as before. "I have never heard anything about it". "I am very sorry for you, because a third quarter of your life is lost". At this moment the boat ran on a rock. The boatman jumped up and said: "Can you swim?" "Oh, no," said the philosopher, "I cannot". "I am very sorry for you, then," said the boatman. "your whole life is lost, because the boat is sinking".