--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lively blockhead in company is a public…" description: "\"A lively blockhead in company is a public benefit. Silence or dulness by the side of folly looks like wisdom.\" — William Hazlitt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73d/william-hazlitt-326_benefits_a-lively-blockhead-in-company-is-a-publi_2868230.png" --- # A lively blockhead in company is a public benefit. Silence… ![“A lively blockhead in company is a public benefit. Silence or dulness by the side of folly looks like wisdom.” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73d/william-hazlitt-326_benefits_a-lively-blockhead-in-company-is-a-publi_2868230.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73d/william-hazlitt-326_benefits_a-lively-blockhead-in-company-is-a-publi_2868230.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73d/william-hazlitt-326_benefits_a-lively-blockhead-in-company-is-a-publi_2868230.png) > “A lively blockhead in company is a public benefit. Silence or dulness by the side of folly looks like wisdom.” [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A foolish person in a group can be useful, while silent foolishness appears wise, masking true folly. **In simple terms:** Foolishness can be hidden by silence. Key Takeaway Beware silent folly. Themes wisdom folly social dynamics Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - team meetings - leadership - public speaking Key Concepts philosophy human behavior Questions to Reflect On - When have you mistaken silence for wisdom? - How can you reveal hidden folly? A Different Perspective Silent foolishness can mislead others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blockhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blockhead/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Never give your heart to a blockhead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/never-give-your-heart-to-a-blockhead/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [For my part I think the Learned, and Unlearned Blockhead pretty equal; for 'tis all one to me, whether a Man talk Nonsense, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-astell/for-my-part-i-think-the-learned-and-unlearned-blockhead-pretty-equal/) [Mary Astell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-astell/) > [A coxcomb is the blockhead's man of merit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/a-coxcomb-is-the-blockhead-s-man-of-merit/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [The bookful blockhead ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always list'ning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-bookful-blockhead-ignorantly-read-with-loads-of-learned-lumber-in-2/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A blockhead cannot come in, nor go away, nor sit, nor rise, nor stand, like a man of sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/a-blockhead-cannot-come-in-nor-go-away-nor-sit-nor-rise-nor-stand/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [When there is sympathy, there needs but one wise man in a company and all are wise,--so, a blockhead makes a blockhead of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-there-is-sympathy-there-needs-but-one-wise-man-in-a-company-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is intolerable that it should be in the power of one blockhead to do so much mischief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-james/it-is-intolerable-that-it-should-be-in-the-power-of-one-blockhead-to/) [Charles James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-james/) > [I have come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this reason, I can never be satisfied with anyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-never-again-to-think-of-marrying-and/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I started freestyling with friends about eight or nine years ago. I started writing also around the same time, but didn't meet blockhead until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/i-started-freestyling-with-friends-about-eight-or-nine-years-ago-i/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [I myself identify as a recovering Blockhead. 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