"For humble individuals like myself, there is one poor comfort, which is this, viz. that gout, unlike any other disease, kills more rich men than poor, more wise men than simple"

This quote by Thomas Sydenham speaks to the concept that, in spite of the truth that gout is an agonizing and devastating illness, it is a comfort to those who are less lucky that it affects the rich and wise more than the poor and easy. This quote suggests that, while gout is a hard and typically fatal illness, it is a great equalizer in that it does not discriminate based upon social class or intelligence. It is a pointer that, no matter one's wealth or wisdom, everybody is susceptible to the exact same diseases and health problems. This quote also speaks to the concept that, while the wealthy and sensible might have access to much better medical care and treatments, they are not unsusceptible to the exact same illness and health problems as the less fortunate. In this method, the quote acts as a suggestion that, while money and intelligence can supply certain advantages, they can not safeguard one from the same illnesses that impact everybody.