--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes one likes foolish people for…" description: "\"Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.\" — Elizabeth Gaskell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg" --- # Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better… ![“Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.” quote by Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg) > “Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.” [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People may be drawn to the entertaining flaws of foolish individuals more than the sober wisdom of the wise. **In simple terms:** Foolishness can be oddly attractive. Key Takeaway Beware of being charmed by folly. Themes human nature attraction wisdom folly Mood reflective critical Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - friendships - workplace dynamics - media consumption - political discourse Key Concepts psychology of attraction social judgment value of wisdom Questions to Reflect On - Why are we sometimes drawn to entertaining but unwise people? - How can we balance appreciation for humor with respect for wisdom? A Different Perspective Foolish behavior may have hidden costs; wisdom often offers lasting benefit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Foolish people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foolish-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-people/) ## Related quotes > [“The clever people likes foolish because they knows how to take advantage of their foolishness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-toora/the-clever-people-likes-foolish-because-they-knows-how-to-take/) [Sammy Toora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-toora/) > [“When you meet young people, inspire them. When you meet old people, honor them. When you meet wise people, study them. When you meet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/when-you-meet-young-people-inspire-them-when-you-meet-old-people/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [Social opinion is like a sharp knife. There are foolish people who regard it only with terror, and dare not touch or meddle with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-brownell-jameson/social-opinion-is-like-a-sharp-knife-there-are-foolish-people-who/) [Anna Brownell Jameson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-brownell-jameson/) > [Foolish people waste their time searching for greener pastures... Wise people cultivate their land and grow their own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-friend/foolish-people-waste-their-time-searching-for-greener-pastures-wise/) Charles Friend > [To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-idle-is-a-short-road-to-death-and-to-be-diligent-is-a-way-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wise people speak because they have something to say;Foolish people speak because they have to say something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wise-people-speak-because-they-have-something-to-say-foolish-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No one knows if theyll be happy by getting married to someone. Dont looks for answers. Right and wrong answers coexist in every decision.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-knows-if-theyll-be-happy-by-getting-married-to-someone-dont/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Wise people problems, becomes everyone's solution. Foolish people solutions becomes everyone's problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/wise-people-problems-becomes-everyone-s-solution-foolish-people/) De philosopher DJ Kyos > [Wise people are foolish if they cannot adapt to foolish people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/wise-people-are-foolish-if-they-cannot-adapt-to-foolish-people/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Do you like him much?" "I told you I liked him a little. Where is the use of caring for him so very much:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/do-you-like-him-much-i-told-you-i-liked-him-a-little-where-is-the-use/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [~Do you like him much? ~I told you I like him a little. Where is the use of caring for him so very much?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/do-you-like-him-much-i-told-you-i-like-him-a-little-where-is-the-use/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Choose your battles wisely, and do not let your pride get the better of you. A wise queen is a just and humble one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farah-oomerbhoy/choose-your-battles-wisely-and-do-not-let-your-pride-get-the-better/) [Farah Oomerbhoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farah-oomerbhoy/) > [It's better to be wise than to be smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/it-s-better-to-be-wise-than-to-be-smart/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [No problem come to break us but to make us better, wise and strong. It all depends on our attitude how we handle it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/no-problem-come-to-break-us-but-to-make-us-better-wise-and-strong-it/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It's always better to be wise than to be smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/it-s-always-better-to-be-wise-than-to-be-smart/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) ## More by Elizabeth Gaskell > [“Osborne and Roger knowing that the wife of the former was a Frenchwoman, and, conscious of each other's knowledge, felt doubly awkward; while Molly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/osborne-and-roger-knowing-that-the-wife-of-the-former-was-a/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Well, He had known what love was-a sharp pang, a fierce experience, in the midst of whose flames he was struggling! but, through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/well-he-had-known-what-love-was-a-sharp-pang-a-fierce-experience-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [In all disappointments sympathy is a great balm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/in-all-disappointments-sympathy-is-a-great-balm/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/but-margaret-went-less-abroad-among-machinery-and-men-saw-less-of/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“And besides, in the matter of friendship, I have observed that the disappointment here arises chiefly, not from liking our friends too well, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/and-besides-in-the-matter-of-friendship-i-have-observed-that-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [What other people may think of the rightness or wrongness is nothing in comparison to my own deep knowledge, my innate conviction that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/what-other-people-may-think-of-the-rightness-or-wrongness-is-nothing/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“The first question sobbed out by his choking voice, oppressed with emotion, was-- "Where is she?" They led him to the room where his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/the-first-question-sobbed-out-by-his-choking-voice-oppressed-with/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Wearily she went to bed, wearily she arose in four or five hours' time. But with the morning came hope, and a brighter view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/wearily-she-went-to-bed-wearily-she-arose-in-four-or-five-hours-time/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [No one loves me, - no one cares for me, but you, mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/no-one-loves-me-no-one-cares-for-me-but-you-mother/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [I won't say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn't me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/i-won-t-say-she-was-silly-but-i-think-one-of-us-was-silly-and-it-wasn/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Mr. Thorton love Margaret! Why, Margraret would never think of him, I'm sure! Such a thing has never entered her head." "Entering her heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thorton-love-margaret-why-margraret-would-never-think-of-him-i-m/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“He never looked at her; and yet, the careful avoidance of his eyes betokened that in some way he knew exactly where, if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-never-looked-at-her-and-yet-the-careful-avoidance-of-his-eyes/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Ay! but mother's words are scarce, and weigh heavy. Father's liker me, and we talk a deal o' rubble; but mother's words are liker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/ay-but-mother-s-words-are-scarce-and-weigh-heavy-father-s-liker-me/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Margaret liked this smile; it was the first thing she had admired in this new friend of her father's; and the opposition of character,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/margaret-liked-this-smile-it-was-the-first-thing-she-had-admired-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Don’t be afraid,” she said, coldly, “ as far as love may go she may be worthy of you. It must have taken a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/don-t-be-afraid-she-said-coldly-as-far-as-love-may-go-she-may-be/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) [Explore all 330 Elizabeth Gaskell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## More Folly quotes > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [How arrogant - how very far from humility - would be the self-satisfied, smug assurance that God, a tidy-up-after-us God will come and clean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/how-arrogant-how-very-far-from-humility-would-be-the-self-satisfied/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverbs-16-22-bible-kjv/understanding-is-a-wellspring-of-life-unto-him-that-hath-it-but-the/) Proverbs 16:22 Bible KJV > [Alcohol doesn't console, it doesn't fill up anyone's psychological gaps, all it replaces is the lack of God. It doesn't comfort man. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/alcohol-doesn-t-console-it-doesn-t-fill-up-anyone-s-psychological/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [Tis easy to break an idol, very easy: to regard the self as easy to subdue is folly, folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/tis-easy-to-break-an-idol-very-easy-to-regard-the-self-as-easy-to/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [You are my inspiration and my folly. You are my light across the sea, my million nameless joys, and my day's wage. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/you-are-my-inspiration-and-my-folly-you-are-my-light-across-the-sea/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [What curious little corners of folly are to be found in even the sanest brain!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-of-romania/what-curious-little-corners-of-folly-are-to-be-found-in-even-the/) [Marie of Romania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-of-romania/) > [Unnecessary hustle is one of the American follies. We hustle at both work and play, and consequently enjoy neither to the utmost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/unnecessary-hustle-is-one-of-the-american-follies-we-hustle-at-both/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Democracy is the worst form of government. It is the most inefficient, the most clumsy, the most unpractical… It reduces wisdom to impotence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-briffault/democracy-is-the-worst-form-of-government-it-is-the-most-inefficient/) [Robert Briffault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-briffault/) > [It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons are deadly only if they're used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/it-is-such-a-supreme-folly-to-believe-that-nuclear-weapons-are-deadly/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [One's conscience reproaches one much more stingingly for one's follies than one's crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-jewsbury/one-s-conscience-reproaches-one-much-more-stingingly-for-one-s/) [Geraldine Jewsbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-jewsbury/) > [What folly made young people, even those in middle age, think they were immortal? How much better, their lives, if they could remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohinton-mistry/what-folly-made-young-people-even-those-in-middle-age-think-they-were/) [Rohinton Mistry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohinton-mistry/) > [We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-more-heavily-taxed-by-our-idleness-pride-and-folly-than-we-are/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Browse all 1,246 Folly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth Gaskell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-their-folly-better-than-wise/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Folly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-their-folly-better-than-wise/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/elizabeth-gaskell-894_folly_sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-t_338249.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.” — Elizabeth Gaskell", "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": "Elizabeth Gaskell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sometimes one likes foolish people for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-their-folly-better-than-wise/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/sometimes-one-likes-foolish-people-for-their-folly-better-than-wise/#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 } } ] } ```