Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
There is a foolish corner even in the brain of the sage.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Most fools think they are only ignorant.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Nature makes only dumb animals. We owe the fools to society.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
July 4 Statistics show that we lose more fools on this day than in all the other days of the year put together. This proves, by the number left in stock that one Fourth of July per year is now inadequate, the country has grown so.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Incredulity is the wisdom of the fool.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Who loves not wine, woman and song, remains a fool his whole life long.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Those who wish to appear wise among fools among the wise seem foolish.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.
—Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865–1923) German-born American Mathematician, Engineer
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Illusion is the dust the devil throws in the eyes of the foolish.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist
A learned fool is more foolish than an ignorant one.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Folly is perennial and yet the human race has survived.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
—Chinese Proverb
Don’t approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back, or a fool from any side.
—Yiddish Proverb
Fortune, to show us her power, and abate our presumption, seeing she could not make fools wise, has made them fortunate.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Fools with bookish knowledge, are children with edged weapons, they hurt themselves, and put others in pain.—The half-leamed is more dangerous than the simpleton.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–1795) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
The world is full of fools and faint hearts; and yet everyone has courage enough to bear the misfortunes, and wisdom enough to manage the affairs of his neighbor.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A fool may have his coat embroidered with gold, but it is a fool’s coat still.
—Antoine de Rivarol (1753–1801) French Writer, Epigrammatist
Never argue with a stupid person. First they’ll drag you down to their level, then they will beat you with experience.
—Anonymous
Where lives the man that has not tried how mirth can into folly glide, and folly into sin!
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
The fool within himself is the object of pity, until he is flattered.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
Nothing is more intolerable than a prosperous fool; and hence we see men who, at one time, were affable and agreeable, completely changed by prosperity, despising old friends and clinging to new.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom.
—Welsh Proverb
Flattery is never so agreeable as to our blind side; commend a fool for his wit, or a knave for his honesty, and they will receive you into their bosoms.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Pain and foolishness lead to great bliss and complete knowledge, for Eternal Wisdom created nothing under the sun in vain.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Take all the fools out of this world and there wouldn’t be any fun living in it, or profit.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.
—Anonymous
Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans: it’s lovely to be silly at the right moment.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist