I'm trying to be kind, you know, for I admired your…
““I'm trying to be kind, you know, for I admired your parents. Fine people, and your father was a fair-minded man to every faith. But there are spiritual dangers you Protestants don't even seem to know exist, and this monkeying with difficult, sacred things is a sure way to get yourself into a real old mess. Well I recall, when I was a seminarian, how we were warned one day about a creature called a fool-saint. Ever hear of a fool-saint? I thought not. As a matter of fact, it's a Jewish idea, and the Jews are no fools, y'know. A fool-saint is somebody who seems to be full of holiness and loves everybody and does every good act he can, but because he's a fool it all comes to nothing—to worse than nothing, because it is virtue tainted with madness, and you can't tell where it'll end up. Did you know that Prudence was named as one of the Virtues? There's the trouble with your fool-saint, y'see—no Prudence. Nothing but a lotta bad luck'll rub off on you from one of them. Did you know bad luck could be catching? There's a theological name for it, but I misremember it right now.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A seemingly holy person lacking practical wisdom can cause more harm than good, as unchecked virtue can become reckless and attract misfortune.
In simple terms: Holiness without prudence leads to disaster.
Key Takeaway
Balance virtue with practical judgment.
Themes
virtue
prudence
danger
spirituality
madness
Mood
cautious
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- religious discussions
- leadership decisions
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
fool-saint
prudent judgment
theological concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your good intentions are guided by wisdom?
- When does kindness become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Unchecked virtue may backfire without discernment.