Meaning & Analysis
Anyone who considers himself to be wise is, in fact, recognized by Wisdom itself as a fool.
Insights
The Paradox of Wisdom
The proverb illustrates the paradox that genuine wisdom is inseparable from intellectual humility. The moment one confidently claims wisdom, they reveal their lack of it by failing to recognize the vastness of their own ignorance.
Arrogance as Blindness
It serves as a critique of intellectual arrogance and hubris. The self-proclaimed wise person is blinded by their own ego, preventing them from learning and making them foolish in the eyes of those who understand what true knowledge entails.
Subjectivity vs. Objective Truth
The proverb highlights the unreliability of self-assessment. An individual's subjective belief in their own intelligence ('weens himself wise') is contrasted with the objective reality that they are a 'fool', warning against the dangers of self-deception.
Philosophical Roots
This proverb directly reflects the Socratic paradox—the idea that true wisdom begins with recognizing one's own ignorance. Its sentiment is echoed in classical philosophy and Renaissance humanism, as seen in the citation from Petrarch, underscoring a long-standing Western intellectual tradition that values humility as a prerequisite for knowledge.
Psychological Insight
The proverb is an early articulation of the psychological principle now known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, where individuals with low competence in a domain overestimate their ability. The act of 'weening' (believing) oneself wise is presented as the very evidence of foolishness.
Allegorical Judgment
By personifying 'Wisdom' as an active judge ('wots him a fool'), the proverb elevates the concept from a personal quality to an objective, almost divine, force. This framing suggests that foolishness is not just a lack of knowledge, but a state of being that is recognized and confirmed by a higher truth.
Rhetorical Devices
Personification
'Wisdom' is personified as a conscious entity that actively perceives and judges, lending the statement a sense of absolute authority.
Antithesis
The proverb is built on the sharp contrast between the self-perceived 'wise' man and his actual status as a 'fool', creating a powerful and memorable ironic reversal.
Archaic Diction
The use of archaic words like 'weens' (supposes) and 'wots' (knows) gives the proverb a tone of ancient, time-tested authority and solemnity.
Transcription
Quotations
Patrarke says, To beleeeve that thou art wise, is the first degree to foolishnesse: the next is to professe it.
That falls out often, madame, that he that thinkes himselfe the master-wit, is the master-foole.
Folly is wise in her owne eyes.
Who christens himself wise, stiles himself a fool.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.