In all companies there are more fools than wise men, and the greater part always gets the better of the wiser.
—Francois Rabelais (1494–1553) French Humanist, Satirist
To be a man’s own fool is bad enough; but the vain man is everybody’s.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed
—African Proverb
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
A fool is like the big drum that beats fast but does not realize its hollowness
—Malaysian Proverb
Wisdom and foolishness are practically the same. Both are indifferent to the opinions of the world
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Author, Mythologist
The biggest fool in the world is he who merely does his work supremely well, without attending to appearance.
—Michael Korda (b.1933) English-born Writer, Novelist
A foolishness is inflicted with a hatred of itself.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others, and to forget his own.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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
Men who know themselves are no longer fools; they stand on the threshold of the Door of Wisdom.
—Havelock Ellis (1859–1939) British Essayist, Physician
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
It has been said that there is no fool like an old fool, except a young fool. But the young fool has first to grow up to be an old fool to realize what a damn fool he was when he was a young fool.
—Harold Macmillan (1894–1986) British Head of State
The fool within himself is the object of pity, until he is flattered.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
To pursue trifles is the lot of humanity; and whether we bustle in a pantomime, or strut at a coronation, or shout at a bonfire, or harangue in a senate-house; whatever object we follow, it will at last conduct us to futility and disappointment. The wise bustle and laugh as they walk in the pageant, but fools bustle and are important; and this probably, is all the difference between them.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
A fool often fails because he thinks what is difficult is easy.
—John Churton Collins (1848–1908) British Literary Critic, Writer
A fool may be known by six things: anger, without cause; speech, without profit; change, without progress; inquiry without object; putting trust in a stranger, and mistaking foes for friends.
—Arabic Proverb
Why fools are endowed by nature with voices so much louder than sensible people possess is a mystery. It is a fact emphasized throughout history.
—Arthur E. Hertzler (1870–1946) American Physician, Surgeon
A fool and his money are soon parted. The rest of us wait for tax time.
—Common Proverb
When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.
—Cynthia Heimel (1947–2018) American Humor Columnist, Feminist
It never occurs to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
He who knows he who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool, shun him; He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child, teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise, follow him.
—Persian Proverb
Only intuition can protect you from the most dangerous individual of all, the articulate incompetent.
—Robert L. Bernstein (1923–2019) American Publisher, Human Rights Activist
When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The person who writes for fools is always sure of a large audience.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
The entire world is my temple, and a very fine one too, if I’m not mistaken, and I’ll never lack priests to serve it as long as there are men.
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
Fools are often united in the strictest intimacies, as the lighter kinds of woods are the most closely glued together.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
Never argue with a stupid person. First they’ll drag you down to their level, then they will beat you with experience.
—Anonymous
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