--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to…" description: "\"Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense, like charity, begins at home.\" — Alexander Pope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png" --- # Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense… ![“Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense, like charity, begins at home.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png) > “Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense, like charity, begins at home.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True wisdom and charity begin at home; intellectual wandering without grounding is futile. **In simple terms:** Wisdom starts at home, not in endless intellectual roaming. Key Takeaway Cultivate insight within familiar surroundings. Themes wisdom charity home intellectual humility Mood reflective instructive Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - academic study - creative writing - family life Key Concepts self‑knowledge ethical grounding Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance home‑based wisdom with external learning? - What role does charity play in personal growth? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on home may limit broader perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Charity begins at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity-begins-at-home/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) ## Related quotes > [First love yourselve and then love others or someone, because charity begins at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tirelo-answer-phokane/first-love-yourselve-and-then-love-others-or-someone-because-charity/) [Tirelo Answer Phokane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tirelo-answer-phokane/) > [“People, like charity, begins at home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/people-like-charity-begins-at-home/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“Charity Begins At Home The expression "charity begins at home" is often used as a way of excusing ourselves from giving help to far-away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hopkins/charity-begins-at-home-the-expression-charity-begins-at-home-is-often/) [Michael Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hopkins/) > [“If charity begins at home then revolution should begin from school”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhasis-das/if-charity-begins-at-home-then-revolution-should-begin-from-school/) [Subhasis Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subhasis-das/) > [“Don't rush to fellowship at the church, temple or mosque if you don't do so at the house - first. "Charity begins at home".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/don-t-rush-to-fellowship-at-the-church-temple-or-mosque-if-you-don-t/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [Not only does charity begin at home. Everything begins at home, including spirituality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-satchidananda/not-only-does-charity-begin-at-home-everything-begins-at-home/) [Swami Satchidananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-satchidananda/) > [Freedom, like charity, begins at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-roe/freedom-like-charity-begins-at-home/) [Anne Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-roe/) > [Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/charity-begins-at-home-is-the-voice-of-the-world/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“...if charity begins at home, empire begins in other men's homes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-casement/if-charity-begins-at-home-empire-begins-in-other-men-s-homes/) [Roger Casement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-casement/) > [A person's First Obligation Should Be To Help The Member Of His Own Family Before He Can Begin Thinking Of Talking About Helping Others.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-cabral/a-person-s-first-obligation-should-be-to-help-the-member-of-his-own/) [Justice Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-cabral/) > [Charity begins at home, but should not end there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/charity-begins-at-home-but-should-not-end-there/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Peace, like charity, begins at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/peace-like-charity-begins-at-home/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/charity-begins-at-home-and-justice-begins-next-door/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Our charity begins at home, And mostly ends where it begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-smith/our-charity-begins-at-home-and-mostly-ends-where-it-begins/) [Horace Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-smith/) > [Charity begins at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/charity-begins-at-home/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Charity quotes > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I would have none of that rigid circumspect charity which is never done without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the truth of the necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/i-would-have-none-of-that-rigid-circumspect-charity-which-is-never/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [The next time you're looking at a charity, don't ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/i-shall-pray-god-to-send-charity-into-this-hideous-world-and-sympathy/) [John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/) > [It is thus only this personal feeling of misery that we get rid of by acts of pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-thus-only-this-personal-feeling-of-misery-that-we-get-rid-of-by/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Considering community support and cost-benefit analysis, I have supported earmarks for projects of high public purpose involving such areas as higher education, alternative energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/considering-community-support-and-cost-benefit-analysis-i-have/) [Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/) > [It's always great to be able to give back to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-vucevic/it-s-always-great-to-be-able-to-give-back-to-the-community/) [Nikola Vucevic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-vucevic/) > [Slander is a poison which kills charity, both in the slanderer and the one who listens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-of-clairvaux/slander-is-a-poison-which-kills-charity-both-in-the-slanderer-and-the/) [Bernard of Clairvaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-of-clairvaux/) > [I like to give back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-like-to-give-back/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [We have to restore power to the family, to the neighborhood, and the community with a non-market principle, a principle of equality, of charity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/we-have-to-restore-power-to-the-family-to-the-neighborhood-and-the/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I own about 300 pairs of shoes. When I start to go over 300, I have mini-sales from my closet and give the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/i-own-about-300-pairs-of-shoes-when-i-start-to-go-over-300-i-have/) [Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/) [Browse all 2,477 Charity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense, like charity, begins at home.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam-know-sense-like-charity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Charity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam-know-sense-like-charity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/alexander-pope-235_charity_fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam_1028040.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Fool, 'tis in vain from wit to wit to roam: Know, sense, like charity, begins at home.” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Fool, 'tis in vain from wit...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam-know-sense-like-charity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fool-tis-in-vain-from-wit-to-wit-to-roam-know-sense-like-charity/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```