Sayings about fools and smart people. Proverbs and sayings about fools

Don't be ashamed to study at mature age: It's better to learn late than never.
Aesop

Literary critic P. A. Is it never too late to study? in the essay “Ivan Andreevich Krylov” (1845) he writes about the meeting of the composer N.S. Glinka. with fabulist I.A. Krylov - “When I entered, he was lying on the sofa with a book in his hands. It was the Greek Aesop. “Are you re-reading Aesop again?” I said. “I’m learning from him,” objected Ivan Andreevich. “This is the lot of genius,” I added, - the ordinary mind meets its limit; the genius moves forward, further, dreaming of perfection. Virgil bequeathed that his Aeneid be burned; You did well not to listen to him. Latin literature would lose its crown of glory. However, our Derzhavin also said: “It’s never too late to learn.” ".
Confucius wrote: “Even in the company of two people, I will certainly find something to learn from them. I will try to imitate their virtues, and I myself will learn from their shortcomings.” Well said! Is not it? These words, in my opinion, express the truth. It seems to me that he addresses a person with the words: “Make yourself.” Perhaps this is my subjective opinion. I delved into these words today. Honestly, 90 percent of my life, I was guided by such words.
While teaching others, I learned myself. I thought that it was never too late to study - I continued to study. Today, because of my husband’s revelation, doubts arose. It would seem that he didn’t say anything special, but instead of a “fly” an “elephant” appeared in my head. Why? Let me explain. When I was young, he told me that I planned too many things to do. You have to do one thing like him. To which I answered him: “If I did one thing like you, then you and our children would be hungry, dirty, and it would be impossible to enter the apartment.” After these words, we laughed, imagining what I said in a real-life situation.
The words that it is never too late to study were key in my husband’s life. And this was confirmed, in fact, for almost fifty years, without today. Why? Because today my husband made an attempt: to do two things at the same time: watering vegetables and digging potatoes. Happened? No! He told me that he turned on the drip irrigation system, but yesterday he forgot to fill the barrel with water, and forgot to turn on the pump for simple watering. It was not audible that the pump was not working due to the operation of the block with which the potatoes were being dug.

I shared my “grief” because I realized that you need to learn to do several things at once when you are young, but at his age sclerosis gets in the way. This amused us. We laughed again, like in our youth.

Proverbs and sayings about the intelligence and stupidity of man

1. They give the fool honor, but he doesn’t know where to sit.
2. The stupid man turns sour, but the wise man sees through everything.
3. To teach a fool to carry water with a sieve.
4. As tall as you, but as smart as your body.
5. There are many bad things in the world, but there is nothing worse than a bad mind.
6. The head is the size of a basket, but not a crumb of brain.
7. A good godfather lives without a mind.
8. I walked through the forest, but didn’t see any firewood.
9. Fools argue about spoils, but smart people divide it.
10. The head is like a vat, but the mind is not like a head of cabbage.
11. I've been away for years, but I haven't gotten around to it anymore.
12. The fool will speak for himself.
13. And red, and variegated, and barren.
14. You can't feed yourself by stupidity.
15. At home you are a gentleman, but in people you are a fool.
16. Someone else's mind - to the threshold.
17. Clueless, but memorative.
18. It's better to be with a smart person in hell than with a stupid person in heaven.
19. There is a mind for every kind of stupidity.
20. A fool will throw a stone into the water, but ten smart people will not remove it.
21. Stupidity is not a vice (but a misfortune.)
22. A stupid person will judge, but a smart person will judge.
23. You can't get out in front of people with someone else's mind.
24. It’s hard for a head without shoulders, it’s hard for a body without a head.
25. Such a fool that he would just sew on his ears.
26. He grew up big, but he couldn’t stand his mind.
27. A stupid person asks for a lot, but a smart person gives a lot.
28. Stupid and small people always tell the truth.
29. Fool and fool met, marveling at each other.
30. You send a fool, and you yourself will follow him.
31. You can’t even keep up with your thoughts.
32. Thoughtfully conceived, but madly executed.
33. We look, but see nothing.
34. A stupid thing is not a smart thing.
35. One fool can ask more than ten smart people can answer.
36. We have no end of fools.
37. May God grant you a smart one to find and lose.
38. Teaching a fool only spoils him.
39. Living with someone else's mind means no good will come of it.
40. Even his own father will not make a stupid son smart.
41. There is no law for fools.
42. If one fool is born, the whole world will be in trouble.
43. You will learn from the smart, and you will unlearn from the stupid.
44. And the fool is happy about the holiday.
45. One stupid stone will be thrown into the sea, but a hundred smart ones will not be removed.
46. They survived the old mind, but did not acquire a new one.
47. For a bad habit and smart fool calling names.
48. To whom God has not given intelligence, the blacksmith will not chain him.
49. The head is not a peg: you don’t hang a hat on it.
50. There is little in his head.
51. The height of Ivan, but the mind of a blockhead.
52. You can't talk about a fool in a mortar.
53. God forbid you contact a fool.
54. Everyone wants order, but there is a lack of reason.
55. You can't complain about your stupidity.
56. The fool found toys to crack nuts with his forehead.
57. I would give my brain, but I don’t have enough.
58. Only in fairy tales are fools lucky.
59. Make a fool pray to God, he will break his forehead.
60. And a fool rides in a carriage, but a wise man walks.
61. He stands on the road and asks for directions.
62. The fool found a berry in his field.
63. Get treatment from a doctor, learn from a smart person.
64. You don't need a scientist, you need a smart one.
65. Clever blasphemy is better than stupid praise.
66. To scold a smart person is to gain your wits, to put up with a fool is to lose yours.
67. He is a fool who is his own enemy.
68. The hair is long, but the mind is short.
69. He lived a century, but did not gain wisdom.
70. God forbid you lose with a smart person, God forbid you find with a fool!
71. There is no shame in remaining silent when you have nothing to say.
72. The son of fools has been like this since birth.
73. With some fools there is laughter, with others there is sin.
74. The fool will burn down the house, he’s so glad of the fire.
75. Where the flock goes, so does the sheep.
76. A ram's cap on a ram's head.
77. You can know a donkey by its ears, a bear by its claws, and a fool by its speech.
78. Where two fools fight, a third one watches.
79. He sees a lot, but understands little.
80. There will be more fools in our age (and there will be enough in yours too).
81. You can't fix things with hindsight.
82. Carrying a bag is crazy, but counting money is smart.
83. I didn't end up smart and didn't make a fool.
84. Smart to others, stupid to yourself.
85. Neither make a dead man laugh, nor teach a fool.
86. A fool built a house, but a smart one bought it.
87. Someone else's fool is laughter, but one's own fool is shame.
88. Great and stupid - they hit you more.
89. One is a fool, and quarrels five smart ones.
90. And a fool would eat porridge if only there was butter.
91. You can't build a house with someone else's mind.
92. The beard grew, but it didn’t bring any sense.
93. Every fool goes crazy in his own way.
94. He's talking about Ivan, and he's talking about Stepan.
95. He’s talking about Yerema, and he’s talking about Thomas.
96. You can't see the forest for the trees.
97. Everyone is smart with hindsight.
98. Not everyone is smart, who is smart.
99. The empty ear stands proudly.
100. If a fool gets involved with a fool, you can't cut it with an axe.
101. Crazy head - a bump.
102. Without a mind, your head gives no rest to your legs.
103. It’s crazy to use an ax or pick a bast shoe.
104. The madman deprives the sane of their minds.
105. The elbow is close, but the mind is short.
106. There is a lot of thought in the bear, but it doesn’t go away.
107. There is a lot of noise in an empty barrel.
108. There are no elder fools in the family.
109. Giant cormorant, yes there is a flaw.
110. I thought about it, looking at the madness.
111. Eyes scattered, brains askew.
112. Stupid and lazy does one thing twice.
113. The stupid dog barks loudly.
114. Stupid than a love spell.
115. They scold the fool, and he says: “They are ringing for mass.”
116. It's stupid to say - to make people laugh.
117. Don't give free rein to a fool in the field.
118. Blessings for the stupid, but misfortune for the smart.
119. A fool will tie the knot, but a smart one will not soon untie it.
120. A stupid mind blows with the wind.
121. A fool looks with his mouth, listens with his belly.
122. Deaf and stupid - two injuries.
123. Cackling like a goose in a thawed patch.
124. My head is empty and my bag is tight.
125. The head is like a sack, but the mind is zero.
126. A head like a beer pot, but not a spoonful of brains.
127. The head is there, but not in the head.
128. Give a fool a horse, and he'll ride to hell on it.
129. Give the chicken a row and it will dig up the whole garden.
130. You can't put another head on it.
131. A fool teaches a fool, but both understand nothing.
132. The fool is glowing in the corner.
133. A fool dances to the roar of a cow.
134. A fool even chases dogs in his old age.
135. A fool doesn't even look at his fist.
136. A fool is a fool and praises.
137. The fool sleeps, but happiness lies in his head.
138. The fool is beaten at the altar.
139. No medicine can cure a fool.
140. The fool got a spoonful, and he drags the cat.
141. Fools have happiness in everything.
142. The light stands on fools.
143. Fools give, smart people take.
144. There is a herd of fools - we need a shepherd.
145. To live as a fool in the world is not to worry about anything.
146. For a fool there is torment, for a wise man there is honor.
147. Science to a fool is like fire to a child.
148. For a fool, what is stupid is also amusing.
149. Whatever the time is for a fool, it’s time.
150. The bad guy on the sleigh is trembling, and the casing lies under him.
151. You won’t be smart every day: there are many days, but one mind.
152. Chew it and put it in his mouth.
153. There is a mind, but it doesn’t interfere.
154. I feel sorry for the fool, but not like myself.
155. Live in hindsight.
156. You don't have to go overseas to find fools - and there are homes.
157. Seven miles away you can sip some jelly.
158. And in a new dress, but in an old mind.
159. And the fool is happy with the pie.
160. And a fool knows the holidays, but doesn’t remember everyday life.
161. And the hare is smart, but with hindsight.
162. And intelligence is no hindrance for a beauty.
163. Sometimes even a fool says a word in harmony.
164. You can't sew intelligence to a fur coat.
165. When God has not given you intelligence, do not reason with your hands.
166. If the head is empty, then the head of the mind will not be given space.
167. I’ll get rid of the lazy one, I’ll get the sleepy one, but I won’t get rid of the fool.
168. The forehead is like a shovel, but the mind is not rich.
169. The man is gray, but his mind was not eaten by a wolf.
170. You can't save yourself from any fool's mind.
171. There was hope for a fool, but the fool became wiser.
172. There is no justice for a fool.
173. Runs around like a fool with a dirty bag.
174. From the smart and abuse is good, from the fool and sweet Nothing to nothing.
175. The fool is glad that the pie is big, but the fool doesn’t know what it’s filled with.
176. A wise man will find his way in the desert, but a fool will get lost on the road.
177. Scolds the river, but praises the puddle.
178. With your little mind - and this is too much.
179. I was confused.
180. To live wisely is a pleasure, but to live without a mind is torment. look
181. He holds the cow by the horns, and outsiders milk the milk.
182. Your own fool is worth more than someone else's smart guy.
183. My head is like a sieve.
184. Falaley did not understand anything, but now Falaley began to sing songs.
185. Thomas will not buy his mind.
186. Although the head is thick, the head is empty.
187. Although he was tall enough, he didn’t gain enough intelligence.
188. Even though I'm a fool, I still demand it.
189. The closer the trouble, the more crazy.
190. A fool's will is what a wise man's fate is: he destroys himself.
191. And the stupid will fool the smart.
192. It's better to be known as a mischief maker than a fool.
193. Don’t rely on your own intelligence, and don’t hold on to someone else’s!
194. Don't expect good from a fool.
195. With a fool you will inevitably sin.
196. A fool turns crying into laughter.
197. He's small, he's stupid, he's stupid, he's small.
198. The mittens are in his belt, and he is looking for them.
199. And a fool won't please everyone.
200. A fool is up to his waist, but a smart person will pass dry.
201. The belly is fat and the forehead is empty.
202. He is not stupid who is stingy with words, but he is stupid who is stupid in deeds.
203. Stupid words have a stupid ear.
204. A fool doesn't know time.
205. He is my brother, but he has his own mind.
206. The fool was given one song forever.
207. He lived to be bald, but did not gain any intelligence.
208. A fool has laughter on his mind.
209. And the fool will cook porridge: it would be just a grain and some water.
210. You'll be out of your mind for an hour - and you'll be a fool forever.
211. You were born stupid, but you die a fool.

The common saying “the law is not written for fools” actually has a continuation: if it is written, it is not read, if it is read, it is not spoken. Then the expression takes on a slightly different meaning. In ancient times, literacy was, as a rule, the lot of the chosen few, and for the rest, that is, the people, written laws were read out.

And, by the way, back in the 11th century, Metropolitan Hilarion in his “Sermon on Law and Grace” addressed readers like this: “...we are not writing to those who are unaware, but to those who have been filled with excess of the sweets of the book.” It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the 20th century, Moritz Ilyich Michelson in his famous work “Russian Thought and Speech. Yours and someone else's. The Experience of Russian Phraseology” cites both “the law is not written for fools” and “the law is not written for the righteous.” Someone’s sharp tongue completely changed the text: “the law is not written for fools, it is written by fools.”

IN folklore The attitude towards fools is far from unambiguous. And it’s not surprising - the meaning of the word has changed over time, and about this there was already a conversation. But since now it means an exclusively stupid, unreasonable person, let’s start with those proverbs and sayings that reflect this position. So:

Negative portrait

Popular wisdom identifies several identifying signs of fools. In particular, “he who speaks wrong is a fool.” It is impossible not to notice that this statement is ambiguous, in direct meaning it denounces someone who cannot speak, and in an allegorical way it hints that anyone and everyone, if they start saying something objectionable, can fall into the category of fools.

The second characteristic: a fool takes truth drop by drop and flattery by spoonful. Yes, greed for flattery cannot be considered a reasonable trait. Moral aspect emphasizes the saying “a fool knows no shame.” Or here’s another: “he’s a fool and he’s glad he doesn’t have any intelligence.” Who can argue with the fact that someone who does not want to increase their mental potential is simply not smart.

Stupidity. There are two aspects here. The first is associated with knowledge: to teach a fool what to heal the dead/hunchbacked (or: to teach a fool - to carry water with a sieve; to teach a fool - what to write on water); What is a seal for the smart, is a lock for the stupid. And finally, it’s simple: you can’t teach a fool. And besides this: listening to a fool means not eating your cake; They gave a fool a canvas, and he said: “thick.”

The second is aimed at assessing human actions:
- you can’t brew beer with a fool;
- a fool does stupid things;
- send the fool, but follow him;
- the fool got a spoonful, and he drags the cat;
- a fool is waist-deep, but a smart one will pass by;
- seven miles is no detour for a fool;
- the fool will burn the house down, he’s so glad of the fire.

Unreasonableness. Often we're talking about about excessive, thoughtless diligence: force a fool to pray to God - he will break his forehead (or bruise it); a fool will throw a stone into the water, but ten smart people will not take it out; A fool will tie a knot, but a wise man will not untie it. Sometimes naivety is meant: a fool wears money for show; fool after fool went far. I would like to say more about the latter. First of all, he can’t go after someone who’s smart, what will he do with her? Secondly, “smart” people sometimes search far and long for their “soul mate”.
Sometimes you have to pay for being unreasonable: fools argue about the spoils, but the smart ones have already divided it up. Well, it turns out that while the people are waiting for the “carrots” promised by the state, between strongmen of the world Why are they divided?

Sometimes attention is drawn to disorientation in time and space, not to mention one’s position in society. In short, he doesn’t know what he’s doing:
- a fool does not know time;
- a fool loves a crush;
- Give a fool a horse, he’ll ride to hell on it.
And he does not know the limits: give the fool free rein, and he will take two.

Hopelessness of diagnosis. About this folk wisdom notes:

There is no fool in a mortar;
- a drunkard will sleep it off, a fool will never sleep;
- a fool at home, a fool in people.

Contact hazard. Warnings to avoid close relationships with the unintelligent - the unintelligent - sound like this:
- a helpful fool is more dangerous than an enemy;
- if one fool is born, the whole world will be in trouble;
- a fool is more dangerous than an enemy.
That’s why “fools are beaten at the altar.”

A community of fools. A lot has been said on the topic of relationships between fools. For example:

A fool teaches a fool, but both do not understand;
- fool and fool met, marveled at each other;
- a fool sees a fool from afar;
- a fool is a fool and indulges;
- he was a fool and sat through it.

And when the situation becomes completely ridiculous thanks to stupid decisions, they say: a fool rides a fool and pushes on with a fool. They may also add: “It’s a herd of fools, we need a shepherd.”

Advantages of Fools

The saying “fools are lucky” is widely known. But she has a more figurative version: “the fool is sleeping, but happiness is in his head.” People believed that God helps a fool:

God of the fool, knocks him down, feeds him;
- A fool shoots, God carries bullets.

And in fairy tales to him and in general half the kingdom goes to to the princess in addition.

Where do fools come from? Yes, out of nowhere, they “are not sown, they are not reaped, they grow themselves” (or are born). And let there be enough fools for “our age,” on the other hand, “the fool lies, lies, and even lies the truth.” Besides, “a fool talks, but a smart man believes.” Then is he really that smart?

Teaching a fool only spoils him.
Cm. MIND IS STUPIDITY

• - Wed. It’s like pouring water into a fragile skin, so teaching a madman. Parable of Daniel the Sharper. Wed. In vas periusum congerere. Laert. 3, 949. Wed. In pertusum ingerimus dicta dolium, operam ludimus. We pour words into a holey tub and waste time. Plaut. Pseudol. 1, 3, 135...
• - Wed. Shaming a liar, making fun of a fool And arguing with a woman is the same as drawing water with a sieve. M.Yu. Lermontov. Epigr. Wed. Aquam haurit cribro qui discere vult sine libro. Wed. Qui discit sine libro, is aquam haurit cribro...

  Mikhelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

• - Wed. Remember the proverb: To teach a scientist is only to spoil him, and once and for all give up the role of a moralist and preacher. Saltykov. Well-Intentioned Speeches. On the road...

  Mikhelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

• - Expressing annoyance at someone's lack of understanding or inability to learn. Also in another case it is implied that the person is more vicious than the speaker...

  Dictionary of folk phraseology

• - Teach a fool how to pour water into a bottomless pit. Wed. It’s like pouring water into a fragile skin, so teaching a madman. Parable of Daniel the Sharper. Wed. In vas pertusum congerere. Laert. 3, 949. Wed. In pertusum ingerimus dicta dolium, operam ludimus...
• - Carry water with a sieve. Wed. Shaming a liar, making fun of a fool And arguing with a woman is the same as drawing water with a sieve. M. Yu. Lermontov. Epigr. Wed. Aquam haurit cribro qui discere vult sine libro. Wed. Qui discit sine libro, is aquam haurit cribro...

  Michelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (orig. orf.)

• - Teaching a scientist only spoils him. Wed. Remember the proverb: and once and for all give up the role of a moralist and preacher. Saltykov. Well-intentioned speeches. On the road...

  Michelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (orig. orf.)

• - See TALK -...
• - To teach a fool to carry water with a sieve...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - To teach a fool how to treat the dead...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - See MIND -...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - A fool doesn’t even look at his fist...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - See HEALTH -...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - See MIND -...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - Don’t teach me how to dance, I’m a buffoon myself...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

• - Don’t teach a magpie how to dance in a squat...

  IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

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XXXVIII. To teach smart things only to spoil them