quotations about fools
The difference between a wise and foolish man is this--the former sees much, thinks much, and speaks little; but the latter speaks more than he either sees or thinks.
WILLIAM SCOTT DOWNEY
Proverbs
Fools always lead a mob.
PAUL H. YARBROUGH
"A Congress of Fools", Communities Digital News, May 6, 2019
Fools and wise-folk are alike harmless. It is the half-wise, and the half-foolish, who are the most dangerous.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe
When dunces call us fools, without proving us to be so, our best retort is to prove them to be fools, without condescending to call them so.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
The difference between a puppy and a fool is this--the one is born blind and continues so for nine days only, while the other remains with his eyes shut all his life.
WILLIAM SCOTT DOWNEY
Proverbs
Children and fools speak true.
JOHN LYLY
Endymion
What ails the fool to laugh? Does something please
His vain conceit? Or is 't a mere disease?
Fool, giggle on, and waste thy wanton breath;
Thy morning laughter breeds an ev'ning death.
FRANCIS QUARLES
Emblems
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
KEN ALSTAD
Savvy Sayin's
It will do you no harm to find yourself ridiculous.
Resign yourself to be the fool you are.
T. S. ELIOT
The Cocktail Party
Like gold in the hands of a savage are the sayings of wisdom in the mouth of a fool.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Tho' marriage makes man and wife one flesh, it leaves 'em still two fools.
WILLIAM CONGREVE
The Double Dealer
Even a fool learns something once it hits him.
HOMER
The Iliad
Fools beget their own kind and here was the proof of it and that as only foolish women would have aught to do with them their progeny were twice doomed.
CORMAC MCCARTHY
The Crossing
Sometimes we meet a fool with wit, never one with discretion.
FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims