fools are made for wise men's profit.
 Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (1880). copy citation

Context

“Rakitin, I owe it you, there's no fear of your refusing it, you asked for it yourself.» And she threw the note to him.
«Likely I should refuse it,» boomed Rakitin, obviously abashed, but carrying off his confusion with a swagger. «That will come in very handy; fools are made for wise men's profit.»
«And now hold your tongue, Rakitin, what I am going to say [pg 393] now is not for your ears. Sit down in that corner and keep quiet. You don't like us, so hold your tongue.»
«What should I like you for?»” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report