Quote#Wisdom
There can be little doubt that it is the fools, and not the wise, who…
Quote byJean Ingelow · 1820–1897
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Sarah de Berenger: A Novel (1879), Ch. 35, p. 395..
English (original)
There can be little doubt that it is the fools, and not the wise, who govern the world. While the wise are considering, the fools act; while the wise investigate, the fools have made up their minds; by the time the wise have discovered, the fools have made arrangements, and the wise, for the sake of law and order, or, if not, for the sake of peace and quietness, are obliged to give way.
— Jean Ingelow
More from Jean Ingelow
Let me be only sure; for sooth to tell The sorest dole is doubt.
The while He sits whose name is Love, And waits, as Noah did, for the dove, To wit if she would fly to him.He waits for us, while, houseless things, We beat about with bruised wings On the dark floods and water-springs, The ruined world, …
Crowds of bees are giddy with clover Crowds of grasshoppers skip at our feet, Crowds of larks at their matins hang over, Thanking the Lord for a life so sweet.
But two are walking apart forever And wave their hands for a mute farewell.
Is there never a chink in the world above Where they listen for words from below?
And sweeter woman ne'er drew breath Than my sonne's wife, Elizabeth.