Fools and wise people are equally harmless. Difficult to bear are only half-fools and half-wise.
Fools and wise people are equally harmless. Difficult to bear are only half-fools and half-wise.
This quote suggests that both completely foolish and completely wise individuals pose little threat to others. The truly foolish lack the insight to cause harm, while the wise are often benevolent and thoughtful. However, those who are "half-fools" and "half-wise" are problematic because they possess enough knowledge to be dangerous but lack full comprehension to ensure their actions are beneficial or well-informed. This unpredictable blend makes them difficult to deal with because their misguided judgments can lead to chaos or misunderstandings, impacting those around them more negatively than either extreme. In essence, the quote highlights the dangers of ambiguity in understanding and decision-making.
Quote By: Voltaire