“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”

— Mark Twain

Last update Sept. 27, 2023. History

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Mark Twain 637

American author and humorist 1835–1910

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“Art is polymorphic. A picture appears to each onlooker under a different guise.”

Georges Braque (1882–1963) French painter and sculptor

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“Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.”

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“A fool may buy all the books in the world, and they will be in his library; but he will be able to read only those that he deserves to.”

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“Fools! Do you argue, that things ancient ought, on that account, to be true and noble!”

Subramanya Bharathi (1882–1921) Tamil poet

As quoted in Bharathiar's 125th anniversary tribute "The People's Poet" by N. Nandhivarman in TamilSydney (7 January 2008) http://www.sangam.org/2008/01/Bharathiar.php?uid=2727
Context: Fools! Do you argue, that things ancient ought, on that account, to be true and noble! Fallacies and Falsehoods there were from time immemorial, and dare you argue that because these are ancient these should prevail?
In ancient times, do you think that there was not the ignorant, and the shallow minded? And why after all should you embrace so fondly a carcass of dead thoughts. Live in the present and shape the future, do not be casting lingering looks to the distant past for the past has passed away, never again to return.

“Whether you function as welders or inspectors, the laws of physics are implacable lie-detectors. You may fool men. You will never fool the metal. That’s all.”

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Source: Vorkosigan Saga, Falling Free (1988), Chapter 2 (p. 36)

“The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let people fool themselves. They didn't bother to find out who and what I was. Instead they would invent a character for me. I wouldn't argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't. When they found this out, they would blame me for disillusioning them and fooling them.”

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) American actress, model, and singer

My Story (1974; co-written with Ben Hecht; 2007 edition), p. 133 Variant: The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let people fool themselves. They didn't bother to find out who and what I was. Instead they would invent a character for me. I wouldn't argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't. When they found this out, they would blame me for disillusioning them and fooling them. As paraphrased in On Being Blonde : Wit and Wisdom from the World's Most Infamous Blondes (2004) by Paula Munier, p. 52

Ref: en.wikiquote.org - Marilyn Monroe / Quotes
On Being Blonde (2007)

“If the truth is worth telling, it is worth making a fool of yourself to tell.”

Frederick Buechner (1926) Poet, novelist, short story writer, theologian

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“I made such a fool of myself,” she lamented.
“Love does not make you a fool.”
“He didn’t love me back.”
“That does not make you a fool, either.”
“Just tell me …” Her voice cracked. “When does it stop hurting?”
“Sometimes never.”

Mitch Albom (1958) American author

Source: The Time Keeper

“They are fools who kiss and tell'--
Wisely has the poet sung.
Man may hold all sorts of posts
If he'll only hold his tongue.”

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) English short-story writer, poet, and novelist

“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”

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Mark Twain 637

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