A mere scholar a mere ass.
Meaning: Accumulated knowledge without practical judgment or common sense produces foolishness, not wisdom.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- The greatest scholars are not always the wisest men. — Deep knowledge doesn't guarantee good judgment or practical sense in living well.
- On the sea sail; on the land settle. — Venture boldly where uncertainty reigns, but root yourself firmly where stability matters…
- Tis the second blow that makes a fray. — The first insult merely offends, but your retaliatory response transforms a moment into m…
- He that revealeth his secret maketh himself a slave. — Sharing confidences surrenders your autonomy, granting others leverage over your privacy…
- Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance. — Pursuing trivial distractions causes you to forfeit what truly matters and holds real val…
- The finest shoe often hurts the foot. — Beauty and perfection in appearance frequently come at the cost of comfort and practical…
From our false friends
- Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Constipado — Actually means 'having a head cold'. Estoy constipado = I have a cold.