plz tel me the real meaning of the word 'wise fool'. plz!
2007-10-31 21:53:33 · 3 answers · asked by solot 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The wise fool, or the wisdom of the fool is a theme that seems to contradict itself in which the fool may have an attribute of wisdom. With probable beginnings early in the civilizing process, the concept developed during the Middle Ages when there was a rise of "civilizing" factors (such as the advent of certain practices of manners in Western Europe) and achieved its most pronounced state in the Renaissance. The wisdom of the fool occupies a place in opposition to that of learned knowledge.
Also LJKs point is wery well put.
2007-10-31 22:01:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that some people who appear to be foolish are actually very wise. I've seen happen many times-- cases in which an action that seemed to be that of a fool ended out to be the wisest course taken.
2007-10-31 21:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by LK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Wise fool" is also used to describe someone who is very clever, but too clever for their own good, and falls into a trap caused by their own cleverness. Tolkein used this expression to describe the wizard Saruman, who was wise enough to be able to control the palantir (seeing stone); but didn't appreciate the danger he was exposing himself to in using it.
2007-11-01 02:38:37 · answer #3 · answered by AndrewG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋