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

By CarolineDuer

1616 A Word to the Wise

IF wisdom’s height is only disenchantment,

As say the cynics of a certain school,

And sages grow more sad in their advancement,

They folly is the wisdom of the fool.

Since fools know happiness through lack of knowledge,

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.