1616. A Word to the Wise by Caroline Duer. Stedman, Edmund Clarence, ed. 1900. An American Anthology, 1787-1900

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

1616. A Word to the Wise

By Caroline Duer


IF wisdom’s height is only disenchantment,
As say the cynics of a certain school,
And sages grow more sad in their advancement,
Then folly is the wisdom of the fool.

Since fools know happiness through lack of knowledge,	5
And see things fair because they shut their eyes,
Then any one can tell, who’s been to college,
That wisdom is the folly of the wise.