Wisdom & folly: When decencybecomes a necessity

 

 

IN OUR day-to-day life, we come across people of many kinds - some who speak with grace and wisdom, and others who act with rudeness or ignorance. One of the most misunderstood concepts in society is the difference between intelligence and foolishness. It is often said that “A wise man can play the fool, but the fool cannot play the wise.”This saying highlights a deep truth: intelligence is not only about knowledge,but also about manners, behaviour, and the ability to understand people and situations. Let’s understand this with a simple observation:Awise or intelligent person may sometimes act mischievously or joke around, but he knows his limits.

 

His actions are calculated, often to lighten a moment, or to teach a lesson without causing harm.Onthe other hand, a foolish person often confuses rudeness with boldness.He speak out of turn, offend others without reason, and think his bad behaviour is a sign of strength or intelligence. But as the saying goes, “Empty vessels make the most noise.” Itis important to understand that intelligence carries responsibility. A truly wise person does not show off his cleverness at the cost of others’ dignity.Heis thoughtful,respectful, andpatient.Hissilenceismorepowerful than a fool’s loud words. Someone rightly said“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom”.

 

In contrast, the foolish believe that being loud, rude, or disrespectful makes him appear strong or brave, when in reality, it reveals his lack of depth and understanding. Many people confuse frankness with rudeness. You can speak the truth without raising your voice, without using harsh words. But the foolish person does not see this difference. He wears rudeness like a badge of honour, and when society reactsnegativelytohim,heplaysthe victim. A wise person, however, knowswhentospeak,whattospeak, and more importantly, when to remainsilent.Asaproverbgoes,“He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.” Interestingly, many foolish people are forced to behave decently in public because they fear judgment. They put on an act of politeness not out of choice, but out of pressure. As a quote wisely says, “If you are rude, you’ll be called a fool - so you are forced to behave.” This behaviour is not born out of wisdom but of fear. True intelligence shines in moments of stress and disagreement - how one reacts in anger or insult shows their real character.

 

There is also a myth that being clever means being cunning or manipulative. But true intelligence is humble.It uplifts others.It knows that respect cannot be demanded, it must be earned. A wise person is aware of how much he still has to learn. A fool thinks he know it all. Parentsandteachershaveamajor roleinshapingthesevalues.Children should be taught that intelligence is not about getting the highest marks or speaking the most in class. It’s about knowing when to speak, how to treat others, and understanding the effect of one’s actions. Today, more than ever, society needs this reminder.True ethics mean staying moral even when it’s hard.

 

Many people act kind only when there’s something to gain. But real character shows when there’s nothing to benefit from. In conclusion, we must remember that wisdom is not about proving others wrong, but about living in a way that lifts people up. A mischievous comment by a wise person can make others laugh and feel included. But a rude word from a foolcanhurtdeeplyanddamagerelationships.Therefore,as individuals, we must learn the art of graceful speech and responsible silence. Letusnotconfusearrogancewith confidence, rudeness with bravery, sarcasmwithwisdom.Letuschoose kindness, not because we are weak, but because we are wise.