--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Were I to be angry at men being fools, I…" description: "\"Were I to be angry at men being fools, I could here find ample room for declamation; but, alas! I have been a fool myself; and why should I be angry wi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/oliver-goldsmith-772_alas_were-i-to-be-angry-at-men-being-fools-i_3212517.png" --- # Were I to be angry at men being fools, I could here find… ![“Were I to be angry at men being fools, I could here find ample room for declamation; but, alas! I have been a fool myself; and why should I be angry with them for being something so natural to every child of humanity?” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/oliver-goldsmith-772_alas_were-i-to-be-angry-at-men-being-fools-i_3212517.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/oliver-goldsmith-772_alas_were-i-to-be-angry-at-men-being-fools-i_3212517.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/oliver-goldsmith-772_alas_were-i-to-be-angry-at-men-being-fools-i_3212517.png) > “Were I to be angry at men being fools, I could here find ample room for declamation; but, alas! I have been a fool myself; and why should I be angry with them for being something so natural to every child of humanity?” [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing that anger at others for natural flaws is misplaced when one shares those flaws; self‑awareness reduces judgment. **In simple terms:** Don’t judge others for what you also possess. Key Takeaway Practice humility and self‑compassion. Themes humility self‑awareness judgment human nature Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - parenting - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology ethics self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What flaws do you share with those you criticize? - How can acknowledging your own faults improve empathy? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can become excessive, hindering growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Declamation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declamation/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Fools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fools/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [He is a fool who cannot be angry; but he is a wise man who will not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-is-a-fool-who-cannot-be-angry-but-he-is-a-wise-man-who-will-not/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Fine declamation does not consist in flowery periods, delicate allusions of musical cadences, but in a plain, open, loose style, where the periods are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/fine-declamation-does-not-consist-in-flowery-periods-delicate/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [O admirable Mother of God! How many sins have I committed for which thou hast obtained pardon for me, and how many others would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-eudes/o-admirable-mother-of-god-how-many-sins-have-i-committed-for-which/) [John Eudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-eudes/) > [Alas! if my best Friend, who laid down His life for me, were to remember all the instances in which I have neglected Him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/alas-if-my-best-friend-who-laid-down-his-life-for-me-were-to-remember/) [William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/) > [Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says, Alas! Must I rock the baby? wash its diapers? make its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/our-natural-reason-looks-at-marriage-and-turns-up-its-nose-and-says/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/if-poisonous-minerals-and-if-that-tree-whose-fruit-threw-death-on/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [In every revolution there intrude, at the side of its true agents, men of a different stamp; some of them survivors of and devotees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/in-every-revolution-there-intrude-at-the-side-of-its-true-agents-men/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; as a feather and a guinea fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-soundest-argument-will-produce-no-more-conviction-in-an-empty/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [The art of declamation has been sinking in value from the moment that speakers were foolish enough to publish, and hearers wise enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-art-of-declamation-has-been-sinking-in-value-from-the-moment-that/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [I could wish there were a treaty made between the French and the English theatres, in which both parties should make considerableconcessions. The English…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-could-wish-there-were-a-treaty-made-between-the-french-and-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I know not why any one but a school boy in his declamation would whine over the Commonwealth of Rome, which grew great only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/i-know-not-why-any-one-but-a-school-boy-in-his-declamation-would/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Depending on your location in the United States, Declamation might not be an offered event for your league. Or if it is offered it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnav-dixit/depending-on-your-location-in-the-united-states-declamation-might-not/) [ARNAV DIXIT](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnav-dixit/) > [Whatever evils either reason or declamation have imputed to extensive empire, the power of Rome was attended with some beneficial consequences to mankind; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/whatever-evils-either-reason-or-declamation-have-imputed-to-extensive/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [It is true that some secluded intellectuals in their esoteric circles talk differently. They proclaim the priority of what they call eternal absolute values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/it-is-true-that-some-secluded-intellectuals-in-their-esoteric-circles/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [The air of the New World seems favorable to the art of declamation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-air-of-the-new-world-seems-favorable-to-the-art-of-declamation/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) ## More by Oliver Goldsmith > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [How happy he who crowns in shades like these, A youth of labour with an age of ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/how-happy-he-who-crowns-in-shades-like-these-a-youth-of-labour-with/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [One man is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and the other with a wooden ladle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/one-man-is-born-with-a-silver-spoon-in-his-mouth-and-the-other-with-a/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleas'd he could whistle them back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/he-cast-off-his-friends-as-a-huntsman-his-pack-for-he-knew-when-he/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/even-children-follow-d-with-endearing-wile-and-pluck-d-his-gown-to/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [The premises being thus settled, I proceed to observe that the concatenation of self-existence, proceeding in a reciprocal duplicate ratio, naturally produces a problematical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-premises-being-thus-settled-i-proceed-to-observe-that-the/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, and fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/truth-from-his-lips-prevailed-with-double-sway-and-fools-who-came-to/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/politics-resemble-religion-attempting-to-divest-either-of-ceremony-is/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and convenience of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/to-what-fortuitous-occurrence-do-we-not-owe-every-pleasure-and/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/every-acknowledgment-of-gratitude-is-a-circumstance-of-humiliation/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [ \[T\]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles-which-are-hidden-from-our/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Like the bee, we should make our industry our amusement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/like-the-bee-we-should-make-our-industry-our-amusement/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Age, that lessens the enjoyment of life, increases our desire of living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/age-that-lessens-the-enjoyment-of-life-increases-our-desire-of-living/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Thus let me hold thee to my heart, And every care resign: And we shall never, never part, My life-my all that's mine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/thus-let-me-hold-thee-to-my-heart-and-every-care-resign-and-we-shall/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Here lies David Garrick, describe me who can, An abridgment of all that was pleasant in man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/here-lies-david-garrick-describe-me-who-can-an-abridgment-of-all-that/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) [Explore all 375 Oliver Goldsmith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) ## More Alas quotes > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. 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Nothing but a few lentils sodden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [“World is so beautiful, but alas! There are so many assholes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/world-is-so-beautiful-but-alas-there-are-so-many-assholes/) [M.F. 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