Bring me a bottle, and let me die

Desiderius Erasmus, Dutch Renaissance theologian and writer, died on this day in 1536. He was the first to say:

"Women -- can't live with them, can't live without them."

Erasmus wrote:  "The nearer people approach old age the closer they return to a semblance of childhood, until the time comes for them to depart this life, again like children, neither tired of living no aware of death."

Read H. L. Mencken in defense of women, and some other hobby-horses: