Another installment of the Philogelos, folks. Dan Crompton, the
translator, uses the word “obstinate” to translate the Greek word DYSKOLOS
used in this joke, but I think it’s more accurately rendered as
“curmudgeon, crab, grump, sourpuss” — i.e. someone whose disposition, in
addition to being mule-headed, is surly, grudging, suspicious, spiteful,
and just generally unpleasant to be around
An obstinate one-eyed doctor asks a patient how he’s doing. “I’m as you see me,” the patient says. “Oh,” replies the doctor. “In that case, I’m sorry to say that one half of you has died.”