Yvon Deschamps: The Laughing Philosopher

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Yvon Deschamps is an emblem of Quebec culture, a man of many talents who has made us laugh for decades. But beyond the humor, Deschamps is also a philosopher, a poet, and a humanist.
One of the things I love most about Deschamps is his ability to make us laugh at ourselves. He holds a mirror up to our society, showing us our foibles, our hypocrisy, and our absurdities. And he does it with such good humor and affection that we can't help but laugh along with him.
For example, in one of his sketches, Deschamps plays a man who is trying to buy a car. The salesman shows him a beautiful new car, but the man is hesitant.
"I don't know," he says. "I'm not sure I can afford it."
"Oh, don't worry about that," the salesman says. "We have a great financing plan. You can pay as little as $100 a month."
The man is still hesitant.
"But that's still a lot of money," he says.
"Well, think of it this way," the salesman says. "For $100 a month, you can drive a beautiful new car. And you'll be the envy of all your friends."
The man is finally convinced. He signs the papers and drives away in his new car.
But then, the reality of the situation hits him. He realizes that he's going to have to make $100 payments for the next five years. And he's not even sure he can afford it.
Deschamps' sketch is hilarious, but it also makes a serious point about the way we often get caught up in the moment and make decisions we can't afford.
Deschamps is also a master of language. He uses words in a way that is both playful and profound. For example, in one of his poems, he writes:
> "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
This is a beautiful and evocative image, and it reminds us that there is so much more to life than what we experience in our own little corner of the world.
Deschamps is a true Renaissance man. He is a comedian, a philosopher, a poet, and a humanist. He is a man who has made us laugh, think, and feel. He is a national treasure.
Call to Action
I encourage you to learn more about Yvon Deschamps and his work. He is a truly remarkable man, and his insights into human nature are timeless.