Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
To follow foolish precedents, and wink with both our eyes, is easier than to think.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
What the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning.
—Spanish Proverb
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
In days gone by, we were afraid of dying in dishonor or a state of sin. Nowadays, we are afraid of dying fools. Now the fact is that there is no Extreme Unction to absolve us of foolishness. We endure it here on earth as subjective eternity.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
Only a fool fights in a burning house.
—Common Proverb
Sometimes a fool has talent, but never judgment.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
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
Incredulity is the wisdom of the fool.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.
—African Proverb
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-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
No one but a fool is always right.
—David Hare (b.1947) English Dramatist, Director, Film-Maker
Any fool can make a rule, and every fool will mind it.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
People have no right to make fools of themselves, unless they have no relations to blush for them.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Jurist
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
No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.
—Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865–1923) German-born American Mathematician, Engineer
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
A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
One never needs their humor as much as when they argue with a fool.
—Chinese Proverb
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
The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his way.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
A fishing pole is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool on the other.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
An erudite fool is a greater fool than an ignorant fool.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
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
A fool often fails because he thinks what is difficult is easy.
—John Churton Collins (1848–1908) British Literary Critic, Writer
Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will want to use it.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed.
—African Proverb
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