It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always
declares that it is his duty.

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always
declares that it is his duty.

A pity about the people! they are brave enough comrades, but
they have heads like a soapboiler's.
[Ger., read more

A pity about the people! they are brave enough comrades, but
they have heads like a soapboiler's.
[Ger., Schad'um die Leut'! Sind sonst wackre Bruder
Aber das denkt, wie ein Seifensieder.]

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity,
and I'm not sure about the former.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity,
and I'm not sure about the former.

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned lumber in his head.

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned lumber in his head.

I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of
being dull.

I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of
being dull.

Against stupidity the very gods
Themselves contend in vain.
[Ger., Mit der Dummheit kampfen Gotter selbst vergebens.]

Against stupidity the very gods
Themselves contend in vain.
[Ger., Mit der Dummheit kampfen Gotter selbst vergebens.]

Peter was dull; he was at first
Dull;--Oh, so dull--so very dull!
Whether he talked, wrote, or read more

Peter was dull; he was at first
Dull;--Oh, so dull--so very dull!
Whether he talked, wrote, or rehearsed--
Still with his dulness was he cursed--
Dull--beyond all conception--dull.

Anything that is too stupid to be spoken is sung.

Anything that is too stupid to be spoken is sung.