
ProverbCommunication
Italian origin1666
A fool may ask more questions in half an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.
Meaning: Foolish questioning consumes time unproductively while wisdom requires patient, deliberate thought to address properly.
Origin: Giovanni Torriano's collection of Italian proverbs (1666) has "One fool may ask more than seven wise men can answer," and Jonathan Swift used a version in Polite Conversation (1738). Asking takes no knowledge; answering takes a great deal.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz. The German 'f' / 'sch' staple.
- Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa. A beloved 'c' / 'p' rhythm trap.
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches? A merciless duel between 'ch' and 's'.
Keep exploring