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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOOLS INCORIGIBLE by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

First Line: ALL THE OLD SAGES, HOWEVER INDEED
Last Line: THAT, ONLY THAT, IS THE USE OF FOOLS!
Subject(s): FOOLS; IDIOTS;
I.

ALL the old sages, however indeed
They wrangle and fight in the bitterest way,
In one thing, at least, are fully agreed:
They wink at each other and laughingly say,
For the mending of fools it is foolish to wait,
Fools will be fools as certain as fate.
Sons of Wisdom! make 'em your tools;
That, only that, is the use of fools!

II.

MERLIN, the ancient, long in his shroud,
Where I accosted him once in my youth,
Unto my questioning answered aloud,
Solemnly speaking this notable truth:
For the mending of fools it is foolish to wait,
Fools will be fools as certain as fate.
Sons of Wisdom! make 'em your tools;
That, only that, is the use of fools!

III.

High on the top of an Indian mound
I heard it once in the passing air;
And Egypt's vaults, deep under the ground,
The same old tale were echoing there:
For the mending of fools it is foolish to wait,
Fools will be fools as certain as fate.
Sons of Wisdom! make 'em your tools,
That, only that, is the use of fools!



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