“ fools are made for wise men's profit. ”
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (1880). copy citation
| Author | Fyodor Dostoyevsky |
|---|---|
| Source | The Brothers Karamazov |
| Topic | wisdom stupidity |
| Date | 1880 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Constance Garnett |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28054/28054-h/28054-h.html https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Brothers_Karamazov |
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
«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
