The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, a man who doesn't ask a question is a fool for life. Agree or Disagree?

[thegreenyogi]

Updates

2 mo

Just for your information this is a quote by Confucio which I came across randomly. It seemed appropriate for GAG.

[MrOracle]

It depends. Do you have other ways to obtain the information - can you get the answer from Google or YouTube or from a library or even from a friend/classmate/coworker? If so, you might want to remain silent and use the alternate information source. This goes especially if you are asking a more basic, general question in a public situation.

But if you have a good general understanding of the subject but you have access to an expert who will have experience or a deeper understanding of the subject, then definitely take advantage of the opportunity to ask and learn.

I learn new things every day, and I am not afraid to ask for help where appropriate, but I also make full use of the information sources I have available BEFORE I bother someone else, and do my best to learn things without bothering anyone, at least until I get stuck.

[OneViewpoint]

LOL, I will absolutely stop a meeting in front of a roomful of distinguished people and ask someone to back up and explain a point I either don't understand or think is bullshit. I generally get one of two reactions.

• People appreciate that I'm listening and engaged and are happy to demonstrate their knowledge and teach me.
• Blowhard assholes reveal their bullshit and get pissed off.

Why do I do it? Because I'd rather admit I'm the dumbest guy in the room than leave the discussion with no idea what we just talked about or the wrong conclusions. My sense is that serious people respect that trait.

All of my friends are the same way. For a reason. If they can't do that, then I can't trust them. So I won't keep those people around me.

[CriminallyInsane]

Only if the man asks the right person the right question. Asking doesn't mean you get the right answer.

[Tarifa]

True.

[FreyaRed]

To determine if a man is a fool or not, you have to look who he asks.

[Jay-_-]

I don't think its the matter of who more of the matter of what he asks

[Jay-_-]

Wait I think Im picking up what you putting down. But what if that "who" disguised himself as the correct person to ask? (Am I cooking, or is my brain fried) 😂

[HawkPerception]

Hmm... I've heard this saying many times and never gave it as much thought as I am now because I always assumed it to be true.

After thinking of the dumbest questions in my head, I'd say it's true. You might sound stupid in the moment, but after you have the knowledge, you won't be looked down on as long as you remember the answer.

But who cares what anyone thinks about how stupid you are anyways? Unless they can impact your life in some way, like your boss at a job, it really doesn't matter. And even then that just means you're in the wrong environment.

[NathanDavis]

in a way, yes... as it would be foolish to not seek enlightenment or understanding nor to embrace our curiousness or need for such things...

it we don't seek, then we might just not find... and in many ways, that's self-sabotage in one way or another

and then, we might not grow... we might not advance either, and then, what do you have? mostly... fooling ourselves into these ideas that life is unfair, or others are unfair when in reality we weren't fair to ourselves and our needs, we blocked and stunted ourselves too

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Disagree.

The man isn't necessarily going to be perceived as a fool, it depends on who the audience is as well as what the question is.

A man who doesn't ask a single question is not a fool for life, he is probably in a coma for life instead. Considering how improbable it is that he never asks any question.

[OneViewpoint]

Nah the guy who doesn’t ask any questions is either disengaged and uninterested, bored because the stuff is so basic for him, or scared to death to draw attention to himself.

[MisterWack]

Yes, because knowledge is power.

Those that ask a question are a fool until getting a logical evidence based and grounded response which they carry with them, up until they ask another question and increase their knowledge surplus.

Those that don’t ask questions and take everything at face value, tend to be a fool for life without logical approach, critical thinking, and reasoning leading to less power to that person.

[RingOfFire]

I have heard this expression many times in my life. It sounds savvy but in the real world it isn't. Many times the much smarter strategy is to remain silent. And just because someone "answers" a question doesn't mean they have a helpful answer.

The man who asks a question when he shouldn't is a fool for a minute, but a man who never knows when to keep his mouth shut is a fool for life.

[Kingofkings1992]

Never heard that one before, but it's kind of stupid lol. No. Asking a question doesn't mean you are foolish, not even for a split second. Nor does never asking questions make you foolish for lift time either. This pertains more to curiosity, and personality, rather than intelligence level. So, I'd say that statement is an abject failure top to bottom.

[Kingofkings1992]

Life time *

[Tarifa]

I don't think you will ever be called a fool (or foolish) for asking a genuine question. No one is born with all the knowledge. Humility is a virtue, not a weakness.

[jshm2]

Lol, that's just too simple minded.

It's more appropriate to assert : "fools question everything, wise people think before they question".

[spartan55]

As one who asks a ton of questions, I can get behind this one. Is Confucio the love child of Confucius?

[Shiprex]

Can be right but not asking a question because you choose not to is a wise move.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt 😋

[DryGermanGuy]

“Who’s the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”

- Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars Ep. 4

[molonski2]

Agree in theory.. does depend on the questions , but sure it's vital to ask questions..

[Filthy_Immigrant]

true.

unfortunately the ones who become fools for life will dwell in there so deep that they rarely understand or even remember the question that was asked

[LC75LC71]

To a degree yes. The man who asks too many questions can find himself in pain or worse mental anguish.. I'd still rather that than keeping quiet.

[RavVid]

Some of my questions are merely rhetorical to enable people to show they are a fool.

[exitseven]

Yes, I tell my students tht the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

[Iron_Man]

You have to ask questions in life you can’t go around being quiet all the time

[Staximus]

What if you don’t need to ask a question because you already know the answer?

[Still-alive]

Strongly agree. ask questions. always be curious, don't assume thing either.

[msc545]

Also, the man who doesn't figure out ahead of time the right question to ask is also a fool.

[Anonymous]

It depends how stupid the question is. He might be a fool all the way around.

[Manish92leo]

A men who who approached such a mood swinger based on situation is the fool in first place

[katiesmuff]

Sounds like excellent advice!

[sage2021]

👍🏼 Agree. There are no stupid questions.

[MereAnarchy]

There are no dumb questions. Only dumb people.

Is that what you mean?

[Massageman]

I agree more than I would disagree.

[petitedollbabee]

Agree!

[Anonymous]

Depends on what the question is.

[Alex-Snow]

Good point I agree

[Cidknee]

Confusscouise

[Cidknee]

How do you spell it? Or do you even know who im trying to say?

[Cidknee]

There's no s?

[Cidknee]

Kongfuzi

[AgentG111]

Absolutely