Don Quixote · Chapter
Of the second set of counsels Don Quixote gave Sancho Panza explained
Don Quixote gives Sancho Panza a series of practical and moral counsels for governing his island, covering cleanliness, dress, diet, speech, and the use of proverbs.
What happens
Don Quixote gives Sancho Panza a series of practical and moral counsels for governing his island, covering cleanliness, dress, diet, speech, and the use of proverbs. Sancho responds with his characteristic proverbs, leading to a humorous exchange. Don Quixote ultimately affirms Sancho's natural instincts and urges him to do right.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Don Quixote's earnest advice and Sancho's trust highlight their bond, despite Quixote's frustration with Sancho's proverbs.
Social Class and Identity
Quixote's counsels on diet, dress, and speech aim to elevate Sancho's conduct to match his new role as governor, reflecting class mobility.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Delivers second set of counsels to Sancho, showing wisdom and folly; advises on governance, cleanliness, and speech.
- Sancho Panza
Listens attentively, defends his use of proverbs, and expresses willingness to give up the governorship if unfit.
Key passages
“Eat not garlic nor onions, lest they find out thy boorish origin by the smell; walk slowly and speak deliberately, but not in such a way as to make it seem thou art listening to thyself, for all affectation is bad.”
Avoid strong-smelling foods so your humble origins aren't revealed; move and speak with measured calm, but without seeming self-absorbed, as pretension is always wrong.
Don Quixote advises Sancho on how to mask his peasant background and adopt dignified behavior befitting a governor.
“For the health of the whole body is forged in the workshop of the stomach.”
The stomach is like a forge where the body's overall health is created.
A metaphorical counsel on moderation in eating and drinking.
“To eruct, Sancho, means to belch, and that is one of the filthiest words in the Spanish language, though a very expressive one; and therefore nice folk have had recourse to the Latin, and instead of belch say eruct, and instead of belches say eructations; and if some do not understand these terms it matters little, for custom will bring them into use in the course of time, so that they will be readily understood; this is the way a language is enriched; custom and the public are all-powerful there.”
Don Quixote explains that 'eruct' is a refined Latin term for belching, and that language evolves through common usage, even if initially unfamiliar.
Shows Quixote's pedantic side and his belief in linguistic enrichment through custom.
“Thou must not mingle such a quantity of proverbs in thy discourse as thou dost; for though proverbs are short maxims, thou dost drag them in so often by the head and shoulders that they savour more of nonsense than of maxims.”
Don't overload your speech with proverbs; they are wise sayings, but you force them in so awkwardly that they become foolish.
Quixote criticizes Sancho's excessive and often inappropriate use of proverbs.
“If your worship thinks I'm not fit for this government, I give it up on the spot; for the mere black of the nail of my soul is dearer to me than my whole body; and I can live just as well, simple Sancho, on bread and onions, as governor, on partridges and capons; and what's more, while we're asleep we're all equal, great and small, rich and poor.”
If you believe I'm unsuitable to govern, I'll resign immediately; my soul's integrity is more precious than my body. I can be happy as plain Sancho eating bread and onions, just as well as a governor feasting on partridges. In sleep, everyone is equal regardless of status.
Sancho expresses humility and moral clarity, valuing his soul over ambition.