Wisdom speaks, fools listen.

Meaning: This means that it's important to listen to wise people because they can teach you things and help you make good choices.

Choice of Words: Wisdom means the ability to make good choices and judgments. Speaks means to talk or say something. Fools are people who are not wise or intelligent. Listen means to pay attention to what someone is saying. When you put them together, "Wisdom speaks, fools listen" means that wise people say things that fools should pay attention to.

Alternative Expressions

When smart people talk, not-so-smart people listen.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence, but it uses different words to say it.

Choice of Words: When is a word that connects two sentences and shows that the second sentence happens at the same time as the first sentence. Smart is an adjective that means having a lot of knowledge and being able to make good decisions. People is a noun that refers to a group of human beings. Talk is a verb that means to speak or express thoughts and ideas through words. Not-so-smart is an adjective that means not very smart or wise. Listen is a verb that means to pay attention to what someone is saying. When you put them together, "When smart people talk, not-so-smart people listen" means that when wise people share their knowledge and ideas, foolish people pay attention and learn from them.

Smart talk, fools learn.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first two sentences, but it uses even fewer words to say it.

Choice of Words: Smart is an adjective that means having a lot of knowledge and being able to make good decisions. Talk is a verb that means to speak or express thoughts and ideas through words. Fools is a noun that refers to someone who is foolish or unwise. Learn is a verb that means to gain knowledge or understanding. When you put them together, "Smart talk, fools learn" means that when wise people share their knowledge and ideas, foolish people pay attention and learn from them.

Related Expressions