Article image

Quotes About Why Foolishness Can Be a Virtue

Many people tend to view foolishness as a negative trait, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes being foolish simply means having the courage to make the kind of mistakes we can learn from. It also means being authentic to our true selves, as people who are brave enough to be fools seldom worry about what others think.

And of course, foolishness is important when it comes to following one’s dreams, too, as it makes us less likely to be deterred by those around us who express doubt. In this case, we may refer to ourselves as “foolhardy.”

All this is to say that those who may be considered “fools” by others often lead rich lives full of personal growth and fulfillment. In the end, people who are willing to appear foolish can achieve a level of happiness that’s only unlocked by not worrying about how they’re perceived. That’s why it’s crucial to step out of your comfort zone at times and risk looking silly, rather than remain paralyzed by fears of ridicule and failure.

We dare you to act a little foolish today — if only for a few minutes — to experience the positive benefits for yourself. Here are 12 quotes about the importance of embracing your inner foolishness.

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.
Steve Jobs

Share Quote

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don’t wish to be thought to know anything.
Epictetus

Share Quote

Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great.
Cher

Share Quote

Our wisdom comes from our experience and our experience comes from our foolishness.
Sacha Guitry

Share Quote

Humanity is a parade of fools, and I am at the front of it, twirling a baton.
Dean Koontz

Share Quote

If I make a fool of myself, who cares? I’m not frightened by anyone’s perception of me.
Angelina Jolie

Share Quote

The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.
George R.R. Martin

Share Quote

The best servants of the people, like the best valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in the master’s ear. It is the court fool, not the foolish courtier, whom the king can least afford to lose.
Walter Lippmann

Share Quote

You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.
Ethel Barrymore

Share Quote

Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.
Chuck Palahniuk

Share Quote

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.
Colette

Share Quote

The point of living and being an optimist is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.
Peter Ustinov

Share Quote

Featured image credit: Taylor Hill/ FilmMagic via Getty Images

Author image
About the Author
Bennett Kleinman
Bennett is a staff writer at Optimism as well as a freelance comedy writer. He's based in New York City.
Play more header background
Play more icon
Daily Question
Fill in the blank: "Man is indestructible because of his simple will to ___." - William Faulkner

More Inspiration

happiness theme icon

Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.

separator icon
William Shakespeare
motivation theme icon

Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say.

separator icon
Barbara Kingsolver
hope theme icon

From our first babblings to our last word, we make but one statement, and that is our life.

separator icon
Richard Paul Evans
love theme icon

You can't learn style. Style, I think, is in your DNA.

separator icon
Iris Apfel
wisdom theme icon

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.

separator icon
Franz Kafka
happiness theme icon

Failure is a greater teacher than success. Listen, learn, go on.

separator icon
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
motivation theme icon

Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.

separator icon
River Phoenix
hope theme icon

I found my place when I stopped looking for it.

separator icon
Mahershala Ali
love theme icon

Live for each second without hesitation.

separator icon
Elton John
wisdom theme icon

The best friend is he that, when he wishes a person's good, wishes it for that person's own sake.

separator icon
Aristotle
happiness theme icon

The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.

separator icon
Peter Drucker