More people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows

Tom Fool is a name traditionally given to a simpleton, or to one who acts the part of a fool, as in a drama or morris dance.

In all Comedies more know the Clown, then the Clown knows.
[1656 S. Holland Wit & Fancy ii. i.]

It was no satisfaction to me that I knew not their faces, for they might know mine‥according to the old English proverb, ‘that more knows Tom Fool, than Tom Fool knows’.
[1723 Defoe Colonel Jack (ed. 2) 347]

‘Good mornin’, Mr. Swig,' said the man; for the aphorism that ‘more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows,’ holds particularly good as regards huntsmen and field servants.
[1865 Surtees Facey Romford's Hounds xxxii.]

Hooky asked‥‘How's the great pulsating world of journalism?’ Mac was‥surprised; but he consoled himself with the thought that more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows.
[1980 L. Meynell Hooky & Prancing Horse iv.]

‘I reckon that just at this minute, sir, there's more that we don't know about this girl's murder than what we do‥’ ‘More people always know Tom Fool, Crosby.’
[2000 ‘C. Aird’ Little Knell (2001) xv. 170]

Related to: associates; fame and obscurity

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.