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Literary
August 4, 1824
The Alexandria Herald
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Excerpt from Lord Bacon's aphorisms quoting a proverb on the futility of contending with a fool, whether in anger or jest, followed by commentary emphasizing avoidance of unequal conflicts with the worthless or headstrong, drawing on Solomon's wisdom.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LORD BACON'S APHORISMS.
'If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be in anger, or in jest, there is no quiet.' We are frequently admonished to avoid unequal conflicts; that is, not to strive with the stronger; but the admonition of Solomon is no less useful--that we should not strive with the worthless. For here the match is very unequal, where 'tis no victory to conquer; and a disgrace to be conquered. Whatever course we pursue, we are losers, and can never come handsomely off. But the worst case of all is, if our antagonist have something of the fool in him--that is, if he be confident and headstrong.
'If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be in anger, or in jest, there is no quiet.' We are frequently admonished to avoid unequal conflicts; that is, not to strive with the stronger; but the admonition of Solomon is no less useful--that we should not strive with the worthless. For here the match is very unequal, where 'tis no victory to conquer; and a disgrace to be conquered. Whatever course we pursue, we are losers, and can never come handsomely off. But the worst case of all is, if our antagonist have something of the fool in him--that is, if he be confident and headstrong.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Aphorism
Wisdom
Folly
Solomon
Bacon
Contention
What entities or persons were involved?
Lord Bacon
Literary Details
Title
Lord Bacon's Aphorisms.
Author
Lord Bacon
Subject
On Contending With Fools
Key Lines
'If A Wise Man Contend With A Fool, Whether He Be In Anger, Or In Jest, There Is No Quiet.'