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About this quote

What does it mean?
Foolishness precedes destruction by fate.
In plain terms
When fortune wants to ruin someone, it first makes them foolish.
What can you take from it?
Pride and folly often lead to downfall.

Where it applies

  • reaching too high
  • ignoring warnings

Putting it to work

  • stay humble
  • heed advice

Questions to consider

  • Are you ignoring signs?
  • What makes you feel untouchable?

Another view

People can recover from foolishness without ruin.

More from Publilius Syrus

  1. Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.

    Permalink to quote #45
  2. Taciturnitas stulto homini pro sapientia est.

    Permalink to quote #47
  3. Better to be ignorant of a matter than half know it.

    Permalink to quote #44

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