"One can fool some men, or fool all men in some places and times, but one cannot fool all men in all places and ages."
(Jacques Abbadie)
These words may seem familiar. They were written in the 17th century in a rather lengthy apologetics treatise. Quite some time later, a judge named William. J. Groo complained about the actions of state politicians. He spoke a version of the adage without attribution, You can fool all the people part of the time, or you can fool some people all the time, but you cannot fool all people all the time. Even more familiar? The quote was later picked up by prohibitionist F F Wheeler, who erroneously attributed it to Abraham Lincoln and said it as You can fool part of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time. From there arose various rearrangements upon the theme... but there is considerable debate about Abe ever using it. This is one of those truisms that may well have become 'folklore' but nonetheless benefits us to ponder upon.
(Info collated from various sources.)
Good to know.
ReplyDeleteI notice the original didn't mention the women....
ReplyDeleteWe've been fighting for equality for so long that I guess we have to be honest and own this too.
Hari OM
DeleteI am all for equality, but it has to be remembered that even as of today in philosophical terms when the usage is 'men' what is meant is Mankind. We are very gradually seeing modern usage as 'humankind', but I hold nothing against any pre-21st century writings of this nature. Yxx
Nice to read
ReplyDeleteHere here YAM!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that saying all my life but had no idea it was written in the 17th century
Hugs Cecilia
But the politicians are of the firm belief that you can fool all the people all the time!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
Delete...and sadly, just at the moment, enough 'some people' are letting them maintain their delusion... but we do know that - eventually - the rest of the people ensure rebalancing... Yxx
whom ever said it, the quote is all so true!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a true quote!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true!
ReplyDeleteI guess it doesn't matter if they actually said it, so long as we think about its meaning. Much of ancient philosophy survives only as attributed fragments like the sayings of Democratus: Nothing exists except atoms and space; everything else is opinion. Of which there are about ten different versions.
ReplyDeleteIn France at the moment and struggling with phone only internet - but a joy to be here.
A truth no matter the source nor who has used it! namaste, janice xx
ReplyDelete