Types of Fools

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The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (both written by King Solomon) introduces us to at least four different kinds or types of fools.

The first two types of fools are those who are simple minded but still teachable and those who have hardened their hearts to be foolish. The two other types of fools are those who are arrogant and reject chances to be wise and those who are brutish fools.

The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless" For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die! (Ecclesiastes 2:14 - 16).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).

How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22).


Good fortune
Good Fortune
Albrecht Durer, c. 1502

Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance (Proverbs 12:23).

How good it is to get what you want! Stupid people refuse to turn away from evil (Proverbs 13:19).

The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.

"Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave (Proverbs 9:13 - 18).

As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? (Ecclesiastes 6:8).


World's Wit and Wisdom
Those who never retract their
opinions love themselves more
than they love the truth.
Joseph Joubert, 1754 - 1824

Most fools think
they are only ignorant.
Benjamin Franklin, 1706 - 1790

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is (Ecclesiastes 10:2 - 3).

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands (Proverbs 14:1).

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them (Proverbs 14:3).

Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way of understanding (Proverbs 9:6).

Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge (Proverbs 14:7).

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge (Proverbs 14:17 - 18).


World's Wit and Wisdom
He who says there is no such
thing as an honest man,
you may be sure
is himself a knave.
George Berkeley, 1685 - 1753

Jesters do oft prove prophets.
William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616

The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly (Proverbs 14:24).

A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother (Proverbs 15:20).

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him . . . Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him? (Ecclesiastes 10:12, 14).

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him (Proverbs 17:25).

Even a fool, when he is silent, is counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is counted as a man of understanding (Proverbs 17:28).

He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame (Proverbs 18:13).

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips . . (Proverbs 19:1).

The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord (Proverbs 19:3).

A foolish son is the ruin of his father . . . (Proverbs 19:13).

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools (Proverbs 19:29).

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise (Proverbs 20:1).

There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it (Proverbs 21:20).

The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men (Proverbs 24:9).

If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest (Proverbs 29:9).

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth (Proverbs 30:32).

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him (Proverbs 26:4).


World's Wit and Wisdom
To be intimate with a
foolish friend is like going
to bed with a razor.
Benjamin Franklin, 1706 - 1790

The wise man draws more
advantage from his enemies
than the fool from his friends.
Benjamin Franklin, 1706 - 1790

The fool folds his hands and ruins himself (Ecclesiastes 4:5).

Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 7:6).

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Introduction to Proverbs
Adultery    -    Blessings    -    Children
Debt    -    Envy
God Hates    -    Good and Evil
Hope and Mercy
Judgment    -    Justice    -    Laziness
The Mouth    -    Parents    -    Trials
Trust & Faith    -    Virtuous Wife
The Way of the Lord
Wisdom    -    The Wise