QUOTES ON FOOLS

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed

- Mark Twain. I hate mankind, for I consider myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.
        - Samuel Johnson

Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
        - Gray

A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.
        - Saul Bellow

It is not the insurrections of ignorance that are dangerous, but the revolts of the intelligence.
        - James Russell Lowell

Here's a horrible thought: You know how dumb the average person is? Well, half the human race is even dumber than that...
        - Anon

In the kingdom of the Blind, the one-eyed man is King

There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence Never call a man a fool; borrow from him. "If you're dumb, surround yourself with smart people. And if you're smart, surrond yourself with smart people who disagree with you."
        - Isaac, "Sports Night"

"You are as close to a friend as anyone I've ever known... I don't mind if you think I'm a fool. But don't ever talk to me as if you think I am one."
        - Samswope to Bedzyk, in Harlan Ellison's "The Discarded"

To be absolutely certain about something, one must know everything or nothing about it.

Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it. Who's more foolish? The fool, or the one who follows him? The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions.
        - James Russell Lowell

Half the world is composed of idiots, the other half of people clever enough to take indecent advantage of them.

Beware the man of one book. If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it. The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. Never give advice... a wise man won't need it and a fool won't heed it. Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction ( ie make things simpler ) It usually takes a long time to find a shorter way. The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views... which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering The person who stands up and says, 'This is stupid,' either is asked to `behave' or, worse, is greeted with a cheerful 'Yes, we know! Isn't it terrific!'" He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.

        - Groucho Marx

A child of five could understand this. Quick - fetch me a child of five.

        - Groucho Marx

"Everyone has a right to be stupid, but Comrade McDonald abuses the privilege."

        - Trotsky

The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice we give to others.

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. People are idiots. Including me. Everyone is an idiot, not just the people with the low SAT scores. The only difference is that we're idiots about different things at different times. No matter how smart you are, you spend much of your day being an idiot.
        - Scott Adams, "The Dilbert Principle"

Stupidity is like nuclear power; it can be used for good or evil.
        - Wally in "Dilbert"

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
        - Principial Max Anderson, "Billy Madison"

Each of us is sometimes a cretin, a fool, a moron or a lunatic. A normal person is just a reasonable mix of these components, these four ideal types.
     - Umberto Eco, "Foucault's Pendulum"

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