Suffer fools gladly

Posted by R. Berg on April 16, 2001

In Reply to: Suffer fools gladly posted by ESC on April 16, 2001

: : ok ok I know it's a biblical quote but can y'all give me some historical perspective and interpretations of this phase?

: : i've looked at quite a few other sites but not much info is out there!

: : tks

: Search the archives under "fools" for more discussion. Anyone have an interpretation?

: II Corinthians 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

: King James Version: For you suffer fools gladly, seeing ye YOURSELVES are wise.

: Amplified: For you readily AND gladly bear with the foolish, since you are smart AND wise yourselves.

: New American Standard: For you, being SO wise, bear with the foolish gladly.

: New International: You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! (next two verses) In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that.

My interpretation (without the benefit of Biblical scholarship): The point being made is that patience and tolerance are marks of wisdom. A truly mature person is slow to anger and kind--or at least civil--to people who offend. For example, when insulted or asked a stupid question, one simply replies, without returning the insult or being sarcastic.