Are the Fools actually the Wisest?
Why Shakespeare thought that?
William Shakespeare have said "A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." This idea might sound like a paradox. But this about it and it has the potential to transform the way you see yourself and your decisions.
The Fool Who Thinks He’s Wise
He always got the answer. The one who can’t help but voice his opinion, even if no one asked for it. He’s sure of himself and unwilling to listen. And why? Because he thinks he’s figured it all out. He assumes his knowledge is complete, his perspective is flawless, and anyone who disagrees must be wrong.
The person who has the audacity to think they have all the answers. In a way, this mindset is a form of intellectual arrogance. After all, it’s far more comfortable to choose the illusion of certainty than to constantly challenge your own thinking.
But here’s the problem: when you think you’re wise, you stop learning. You stop asking questions. You stop admitting that there’s more to learn. And this results in foolishness. Because to be wise isn’t the result of certainty, it is the result of curiosity.
The Wise Man Who Knows He’s a Fool
This person doesn’t claim to have all the answers. In fact, they acknowledge that there’s a lot they don’t know. The wise person understands that the process of learning is constant. He doesn’t reject new information. In fact, he actively seeks out the unknown.
Here’s where it gets interesting. The true sign of wisdom isn’t about being correct all the time or having all the facts. It’s about realizing the limits of your knowledge and choosing the journey of continuous learning. In this sense, the wise person understands that they are, in fact, a "fool" compared to the vast expanse of what there is to know.
How Can This Be Useful?
- Understand the Power of Doubt: Doubt is often seen as a weakness. But in reality, it’s one of the greatest tools for becoming better. When you question your ideas and entertain the possibility that you might be wrong, you always have new ideas. Doubt helps you to better your thinking. The better thinker you are, the wiser you are.
- Constantly Learn: A wise person knows they don’t have all the answers—and that’s why they’re always listening. Instead of pretending to be the expert in every situation, recognize that there is always opportunity to learn. The moment you stop acting like the smartest person in the room is the moment you start truly learning.
- Say “I am wrong”: This is perhaps the most difficult for most people. Saying that you’ve made a mistake doesn’t feel the best. But guess what? It’s a wise idea. The wise person doesn’t stubbornly talk about his obviously incorrect ideas. Instead, he says, “I am wrong,” and adjusts accordingly. The faster you can do this, the faster you will be wiser.
The next time you think to yourself: "I’ve got this all figured out," take a moment to question your idea. The truth is, the more we recognize the limits of our own understanding, the more we learn. So, be the wise person who knows he’s a fool.