Defend me, therefore, common sense, say
From reveries so airy, from the toil
Of dropping buckets into read more

Defend me, therefore, common sense, say
From reveries so airy, from the toil
Of dropping buckets into empty wells,
And growing old in drawing nothing up.

Fools are my theme, let satire be my song.

Fools are my theme, let satire be my song.

A fool always finds one still more foolish to admire him.
[Fr., Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot read more

A fool always finds one still more foolish to admire him.
[Fr., Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.]

The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom too fine spun

The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom too fine spun

To stumble twice against the same stone, is a proverbial
disgrace.
[Lat., Culpa enim illa, bis ad eundem, read more

To stumble twice against the same stone, is a proverbial
disgrace.
[Lat., Culpa enim illa, bis ad eundem, vulgari reprehensa
proverbio est.]

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he
that shutteth his lips is esteemed read more

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he
that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

All places are filled with fools.
[Lat., Stultorum plenea sunt omnia.]

All places are filled with fools.
[Lat., Stultorum plenea sunt omnia.]

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

A fool must now and then be right by chance.

A fool must now and then be right by chance.