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Samuel Butler on Fools and Knaves
“There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.” — Samuel Butler (1612-1680)
Bonus quote from Samuel Wesley with Butler’s epitaph:
“While Butler, needy wretch, was yet alive,
No generous patron would a dinner give;
See him, when starv’d to death, and turn’d to dust,
Presented with a monumental bust.
The poet’s fate is here in emblem shown,
He ask’d for bread, and he received a stone.”
How many fools does one knave need to live on, anyway?
Published in Humor
Welcome back, and Happy Easter Monday, O Furry One! (Neat resurrection you pulled off there, too.)
Great quotes as always! Welcome back.
It’s good to be back, ladies.
Hmmm, I wonder if P.T. Barnum read Butler.
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Welcome back, Arahant. You have been missed around here. :)
Samuel Johnson had some similar acid thoughts about Lord Chesterfield, who did almost nothing for him until Johnson became famous.
“…Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind: but it has been delayed till I am indifferent and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary and cannot impart it; till I am known and do not want it.”
And yes, isn’t it great to have Arahant back? He is one of the Ricochet members who makes everyone else feel smarter and funnier just by his presence.
How Congressional districts are defined.
Welcome back, A.
I’m slightly shocked that you didn’t mention that knave originally just meant a servant. Did you stop being Arahant while you were gone?
Not at all. Just figured it was more fun to throw in the epitaph instead.
This is actually masking a secret concern of ours, that aliens would kidnap the real Arahant and send us a clever clone after Easter.
But how can we be sure?…
I see a consensus forming.
Oh. It’s you. Again.
I suppose we shall bear up…
Well, you guys can be blase if you like. What about us hardcore Araholics, wandering Ricochet threads, often going hungry and barefoot, begging strangers for news: “Is he coming back? Are you sure?”
I think it depends entirely on how much money he can pry from the hands of each fool.
Especially the ones dressing in motley.
True. It is probably easier to find many poor fools than one rich one, though.