“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”

Last update Sept. 9, 2024. History

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Epictetus175

philosopher from Ancient Greece 50–138

David Gemmell book The King Beyond the Gate

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 16

“Though you pay for the hands they're shaking
The speeches and the mistakes they're making
As they struggle with the undertaking
Of simple thought What you want, you don't know
You're with stupid now
What you know, you don't want to know
You're with stupid now.”

Aimee Mann (1960) American indie rock singer-songwriter (born 1960)

"You're With Stupid Now"
Song lyrics, I'm with Stupid (1995)

“If thou wouldst make progress, be content to seem foolish and void of understanding with respect to outward things. Care not to be thought to know anything. If any should make account of thee, distrust thyself.”

Epictetus (50–138) philosopher from Ancient Greece

158
Golden Sayings of Epictetus

“The inventor…looks upon the world and is not contented with things as they are. He wants to improve whatever he sees, he wants to benefit the world; he is haunted by an idea. The spirit of invention possesses him, seeking materialization.”

Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) scientist and inventor known for his work on the telephone

As appears on plaque in the entrance to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index_e.asp in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada.

“I guess I was the most unbohemian of all bohemians. My bohemianism consisted of not wanting to get involved with the stupid stuff that I thought people wanted you to get involved with — … namely America…”

Amiri Baraka (1934–2014) African-American writer

On his bohemian status in “Remembering Activist Poet Amiri Baraka” https://www.npr.org/2014/01/10/261379770/fresh-air-remembers-activist-poet-amiri-baraka in NPR (2014 Jan 10)