Comes from Shakespeare meaning wise men know they are fools or are smart enough to recognize knowledge is so vast
"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool". -Shakespeare
The phrase "wise fool" is an oxymoron that conveys the idea of someone who may have knowledge or intelligence, but lacks common sense or makes foolish decisions. It can be used to describe a person who appears intelligent but acts foolishly in their choices or behaviors.
a wise man
A Wise Fool - 1921 was released on: USA: 26 June 1921
Not wise just imaginary
Wise, shrewd, sensible are all antonyms of fool
The Wise Man and the Fool - 1916 was released on: USA: 3 February 1916
latin for wise fool
You should never give advice as the wise don't need it and the fool won't heed it. I pity the fool. Everybody plays the fool, sometimes.
This quote suggests that a wise person is open to new information and willing to adjust their opinions or beliefs when faced with evidence or reason. On the other hand, a fool tends to be stubborn and closed-minded, refusing to consider changing their views even when presented with compelling arguments or facts. It emphasizes the importance of intellectual flexibility and humility in seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Touchstone in As You Like It says that it is an old saying, "'The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." The meaning is that everyone is pretty foolish, and only someone who is extremely foolish thinks otherwise. A similar saying is attributed to the philosopher Socrates.
I was, the last time I looked.