Does anybody really EVER suffer fools gladly?

[Bunny]

You've heard the expression: (S)he doesn't suffer fools gladly. Used as a compliment of sorts, I guess. But honestly, who DOES suffer fools gladly? Anyone? We all have to suffer fools at some point, but does anyone ever do it "gladly"? :shrug:

[Clovis Sangrail]

1. depends

on how much they're paying me.
The more the pay me, the more likely I'll gladly suffer them. :)

[redqueen]

2. Sometimes.

Depends on how funny they are when they're being foolish.

[miss_kitty]

3. no

[Bunny]

8. That's what I was thinking. But I wonder how this expression

came to be a supposedly flattering phrase? It's one of life's great mysteries, I suppose. Sigh.

:hi: miss_kitty!

[miss_kitty]

11. I thought it meant one was cranky at stupes on a regular basis

:hi:

[demnan]

4. I think this lady did

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2543573

[fob]

5. The "media" has said there were over 59 million that did on Nov 2, 2004

Now as to WHY, that's a real headscratcher!

[hfojvt]

6. yes, I am pretty comfortable with myself

and I seem less likely than others to deride someone else's intelligence. Some people seem to think that everyone else is an ignorant idiot - the fools.

[aden_nak]

7. Bush suffers fools gladly. Or as he calls them, "my base".

[tavalon]

13. Good one! n/t

[mr_hat]

9. If we're all so smart, we should have a better solution to

fools other than suffering them, gladly or no.

If we're so smart, we should make fools do our bidding, no suffering involved. Like, we could make them walk like Egyptians. Or make them take entertaining pratfalls. That kind of thing.

If we were all so smart, that is.

[yellowcanine]

10. It is meant to be a compliment but what it really is is an excuse for

rude and snotty behavior.

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. That's from the New Testament.

The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 11, verse 19. Here it is in context:

16
I repeat, no one should consider me foolish; but if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
17
What I am saying I am not saying according to the Lord but as in foolishness, in this boastful state.
18
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
19
For you gladly put up with fools, since you are wise yourselves.


Basically it's saying that anyone who DOES "suffer fools gladly" is himself foolish.

[Bunny]

14. Wow. I never knew that was from the Bible!

Thanks for the exact wording and the context!

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. Not quite exact...

varies from translation to translation. The one I posted is from the New American Bible, which is more recent (and also Catholic; I suspect the original was from the King James version).

[Hoping4Change]

16. Since you mentioned this , the following article tackles this phrase

"in the case of "suffer fools gladly," Paul must accept complete responsibility. It's his phrase. It occurs in one of his renowned letters, II Corinthians 11:19 -- "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise."

He was writing to people who needed straightening out, the Corinthians. In those days, Corinth was such a fleshpot that "Corinth" became a synonym for coitus. Paul didn't consider Corinthians wise at all, and was putting them in their place with sarcasm. Or so one gathers. This means that modern writers misuse him if (as sometimes happens) they make his phrase describe someone of stern intelligence who has the good sense to avoid the foolish. Paul wrote in mockery.

Which leaves a question: Who, in the history of the world, ever did suffer fools gladly? Well, Shakespeare did, obviously. Since he gave them so many roles, he must have liked having them around. Others, less great, may enjoy fools as part of the human comedy, perhaps bearing in mind that all of us are fools sometimes, some of us fools often. In fact, I live in hope of reading someday an obituary that says: "He was wise and talented, greatly accomplished, and much admired, above all for his ability to suffer fools gladly."

http://www.robertfulford.com/SufferFools.html