Europe, German, Germany, primary source, quotes
This German proverb begs the question as to what exactly the wise should learn from fools. Perhaps, for starters, how not to appear too wise, thereby alienating or annoying those who might benefit from your wisdom. And wrap your wisdom in a joke so that it flies...
16th century, book, Europe, primary source
Today’s the day you can be sureYou can’t avoid and shouldn’t ignore,The day that we can all affordto lark about and at last accordOurselves the time to take time outAnd raise a glass and merrily shoutIn praise of Folly, the saucy goddess whoBrings...
17th century, dramatic character, England, Europe, primary source, quotes
A marvelous line from As You Like It demonstrating the power of the fool to see and expose the folly of the allegedly wise with even just a passing glance. The wiseman’s folly is anatomiz’d / Even by the squand’ring glances of the fool. Source:...
16th century, dramatic character, England, English, Europe, primary source, quotes
Here Lear’s fool gives advice that could by usefully followed by most of us. I also like his willingness to take back his advice if you happen to find a better source of wisdom. Which of course you know you won’t, at least if you’ve read your...
16th century, bibliography, book, canon, Europe, fictive fool, Latin, Netherlands, primary source, quotes
Rulers, for all the advantages they enjoy, seem to me in one respect most disadvantaged: they’ve nobody from whom they can hear the truth; in place of friends they’re lumbered with flatterers. p. 45The Moriae Encomium by Erasmus (1469-1536), written in...
16th century, Europe, France, French, primary source, quotes
Here we have Rabelais citing a proverb attesting to the capacity of fools to unravel knotty problems. See similar examples, including Sima Qian 司馬遷 (c. 145-86 BC), an historian something like the Chinese equivalent of Herodotus, and a 17th century German...
16th century, Europe, fictive fool, Latin, Netherlands, primary source, quotes
Erasmus’ Folly yet again turns things on their head, assuring us that her rebukes are a compliment. Presumably, if she bothers to upbraid you, you must have the potential for improvement. But note too how she castigates the failure of fools to identify what is...
