# How Simplicissimus Came to a Certain Town (Which He Nameth for Convenience Cologne) to Fetch His Treasure explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

> Chapter companion for The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

## What happens

Simplicissimus leaves his new wife to retrieve his treasure from a merchant in Cologne, only to discover the merchant has fled bankrupt. He stays with a notary and advocate, observing various human vices as diseases, and reflects on greed, pride, envy, and other failings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Money

Simplicissimus's treasure is lost due to the merchant's bankruptcy and flight, and the notary's greed is highlighted as he seeks to profit from the case.

### Folly and Wisdom

Simplicissimus reflects on various human vices as diseases, such as pride, envy, and gluttony, contrasting foolish behavior with wisdom.

## Character check-ins

### Simplicissimus

Travels to Cologne to retrieve his treasure, learns of the merchant's bankruptcy, and stays with a notary, reflecting on human vices.

### Jupiter

Simplicissimus lodges with Jupiter, who is in his right mind and informs him of the merchant's flight.

## Key lines

> Things do happen in different fashions. To one man ill luck cometh by degrees and slowly: another it doth fall upon in a heap.

Misfortune can come gradually or all at once, varying from person to person.

_Opening reflection on the nature of luck and adversity._

> I swore like a trooper, but what availed that? I did not get my property back so, and had no hope of ever doing so.

I cursed loudly, but it was useless; I couldn't recover my property and had little hope of doing so.

_Simplicissimus's frustration upon learning of the merchant's bankruptcy._

> I did learn much in the time I was with him, and especially to know all sicknesses of all men, which is the chiefest art of the doctor of medicine.

During my stay with the notary, I learned a great deal, especially how to recognize the various ailments that afflict people, which is the most important skill for a physician.

_Simplicissimus's observation about learning to diagnose human vices as diseases._

## Links

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