Quotes about fools

„It is such an uncomfortable feeling to know one is a fool.“

—  L. Frank Baum, book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Source: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

„When I knew but a little, I was blinded by pride as an elephant is blinded by rut from excitement, and my mind was puffed up with the idea that I knew everything. When, however, I gradually gained knowledge through the contact of the wise I found I was a fool; and the pride, which had possessed me like a fever, left me.“

—  Bhartrihari Indian linguist, poet and writer 570

Nītiśataka 8; translation of K.M. Joglekar
Śatakatraya
Original: (sa) यदा किञ्चिज्ज्ञोऽहं द्विप इव मदान्ध: समभवम्
तदा सर्वज्ञोऽस्मीत्यभवदवलिप्तं मम मन:।
यदा किञ्चित्किञ्चिद्बुधजनसकाशादवगतं
तदा मूर्खोऽस्मीति ज्वर इव मदो मे व्यपगत:॥

„I can't live where I want to, I can't go where I want to go, I can't do what I want to, I can't even say what I want to. I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to.“

—  Georgia O'Keeffe American artist 1887 - 1986

„Fool, if you be cancer, I be the cure.“

—  Vico C American rapper and singer of Puerto Rican descent 1971

"Bueno, si mi pueblo perece, por falta de conocimiento. Aqui le va una aspirina
The first sentence is from the Book of Hosea, 4:6.

„My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world, and exiles me from it.“

—  Ursula K. Le Guin American writer 1929 - 2018

"The Creatures on My Mind" in Unlocking the Air and Other Stories (1996), p. 65

„A learned fool is more foolish than an ignorant one.“

—  Molière, Les Femmes Savantes

Un sot savant est sot plus qu'un sot ignorant.
Act IV, sc. iii
Les Femmes Savantes (1672)

„None but a fool is always right.“

—  David Hare British writer 1947

Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare Guesses at Truth (London: Macmillan, ([1827-48] 1867) p. 445.
Misattributed

„You may be an idiot but I don't think you're a fool.“

—  Natsuki Takaya Manga artist 1973

„Wise people are in want of nothing, and yet need many things. On the other hand, nothing is needed by fools, for they do not understand how to use anything, but are in want of everything.“

—  Chrysippus ancient Greek philosopher -281 - -208 BC

As quoted in Moral Epistles by Seneca, iii. 10.

„Circus, n. A place where horses, ponies and elephants are permitted to see men, women and children acting the fool.“

—  Ambrose Bierce, book The Devil's Dictionary

The Devil's Dictionary (1911)

„No one has the right to make a boy learn Latin, because learning is a matter for individual choice; but if in a Latin class, a boy fools all the time, the class should throw him out, because he interferes with the freedom of others.“

—  A.S. Neill, book Summerhill

Source: Summerhill (1960), p. 356

„Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.“

—  Bob Marley Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician 1945 - 1981

„Look down at me and you see a fool; look up at me and you see a god; look straight at me and you see yourself.“

—  Charles Manson American criminal and musician 1934 - 2017

As quoted in 101 People You Won't Meet in Heaven: The Twisted Achievements of the Most Brutal and Sadistic Individuals the World Has Ever Known (2007) by Michael Powell, p. 148

„4537. The Fool is busy in everyone's Business but his own.“

—  Thomas Fuller (writer) British physician, preacher, and intellectual 1654 - 1734

Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)

„A wise man begins in the end, a fool ends in the beginning.“

— Unknown author

„Satan fools and feigns, blows and bluffs, and we so often take his threats to heart and forget the "exceeding greatness of God's power to us.“

—  Leonard Ravenhill British writer 1907 - 1994

Source: Why Revival Tarries

„A fool is someone whose pencil wears out before its eraser does.“

—  Marilyn vos Savant US American magazine columnist, author and lecturer 1946

As quoted in The Truth in Words: Inspiring Quotes for the Reflective Mind (2002) by Paras, p. 92

„A man who trusts everyone is a fool, and a man who trusts no one is a fool. We are all fools, if we live long enough.“

—  Robert Jordan, Winter's Heart

Lews Therin Telamon
(9 November 2000)
Source: Winter's Heart

„We are all fools in love“

—  Jane Austen, book Pride and Prejudice

Source: Pride and Prejudice