A fool, a fool! I met a fool i' the forest, A motley fool…
““A fool, a fool! I met a fool i' the forest, A motley fool; a miserable world! As I do live by food, I met a fool Who laid him down and bask'd him in the sun, Andrail'd on Lady Fortune in good terms, In good set terms and yet a motley fool. 'Good morrow, fool,' quoth I. 'No, sir,' quoth he, 'Call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune:' And then he drew a dial from his poke, And, looking on it with lack-lustre eye, Says very wisely, 'It is ten o'clock: Thus we may see,' quoth he, 'how the world wags: 'Tis but an hour ago since it was nine, And after one hour more 'twill be eleven; And so, from hour to hour, we ripe and ripe, And then, from hour to hour, we rot and rot; And thereby hangs a tale.' When I did hear The motley fool thus moral on the time, My lungs began to crow like chanticleer, That fools should be so deep-contemplative, And I did laugh sans intermission An hour by his dial. O noble fool! A worthy fool! Motley's the only wear.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A fool reflects on time’s passage, showing how life cycles through growth and decay, urging awareness of fleeting moments.
In simple terms: Time passes, making us grow then decay.
Key Takeaway
Observe time’s flow, cherish the present.
Themes
time
change
mortality
wisdom
humor
Mood
thoughtful
wry
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal relationships
- health monitoring
- creative projects
- educational milestones
Key Concepts
cyclical nature
impermanence
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the fool’s humor reveal about his fears?
- How do you respond to time’s relentless march?
A Different Perspective
The humor may mask deeper anxiety about aging and loss of control.