Viewport

Sunday, April 01, 2007

I pity the fool


"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. "--William Shakespeare
"It takes a smart guy to play dumb."
--Mr. T
"I got no time for the jibba-jabba."
--Mr. T

It's April Fool's Day and it seemed only appropriate to write about fools. Thus the quotes. When was the last time you saw Mr. T quoted along side Billy Shakespeare? But you've got to love it, especially the line about having "not time for jibba-jabba." Shakespeare couldn't have said it better.

I too have no time for the jibba-jabba.But I constantly find myself in situations where I'm confronted with a fool who spouts only jibba-jabba.

Remember my post about how I don't like talking to naked men in the locker room of the place I work out in? Well this same naked guy sees me come into the locker room the other night and immediately asks me, "Whens the next tattoo show?" I'm hoping he is not just standing there waiting for me to take off my shirt, because it was my celtic armband tattoo that set him off talking to me the first time he'd seen it.

I play dumb and reply, "Tattoo show?" He says, "Yeah, I have to pick my tattoo design." Then he begins his jibba-jabba. "I'm $1000 short of buying my outrigger, though. The tax return helped." This is how crap meanders out of this guy's mouth. What does an outrigger canoe have to do with a tattoo? I put on my iPod and shut out the rest of the free word association he was engaged in.

This leads to another quote I like. I don't know who it is attributed too, but it goes: "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

I've tried to live by that quote. Because I don't really mind being thought of as a fool. People don't tend to feel threatened by you if they think you are a fool. They also don't put to many demands on you. But the minute they think you are a bit sharper tool then they originally imagined they'll start expecting things.

But I digress. My less than finely honed point was that you should never judge a fool by the sheer volume of his verbiage. When you start hearing or reading a massive amount of jibba-jabba, rest assured you are dealing with total moron. This applies to politicians, pastors, self-help gurus, marketing professionals and pop psychologists. It also applies to more than a few self-righteous bloggers.

No fooling.



11 comments:

Whitesnake said...

"Don't piss on my back then tell me it's raining!"

"You Bubble headed booby."

There are some classic quotes out there.

"I am your KING!"
"Well I didn't vote for ya."

Anonymous said...

The "remain silent" quote is attributed to Mark Twain.

I've always been partial to: "Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"

It certainly can be "handy" in many situations.

Time said...

Whitesnake,
Okay, let's go back and read that quote about jibba-jabba.

Iridethebus,
Ah yes, Mark Twain. Thanks. I'm sure the damn dirty ape quote gets you lots of seats to yourself on the subway.

Hayden said...

got to remember the jibba jabba comment. priceless. Perfect in a business meeting.
"OK, to quote Mr T,........" that'd stun 'em.

JP (mom) said...

Tis better to be a silent fool than a talking one! -- JP, 2007 Glad you are neither.

Footpad said...

Oh, I don't know, Tim. The next time a naked man asks to see your tatoos for "inspiration," you might consider another pop-culture reference.

How about "Joey, you ever hang around a gymnasium?"

Harmony said...

The guy in the locker room needs to be carefully watched Tim, don't turn your back whatever you do.

Just turn up at your gym dressed in that court jester outfit and that should intimidate him.....or maybe not. You do look a little bit sinister......

BlazngScarlet said...

I hope you bring soap on a rope!




*giggle*
I'm sorry Tim ... I couldn't resist the oh-so-easy shot!
I'll go now.

Time said...

Hayden, Don't play innocent. You are a sales person. You know all about jibba-jabba.

Yes JP, I'm just an old one :)

FP, The thought did cross my mind.

Angel, I always keep my back to the wall, even outside of the locker room. And the jester outfit is my workout attire :)

Blaznfyre, That's why I shower at home. But if I did drop the soap at the club, you can bet I'd kick it all the way back to my locker :)

Time said...

Lights, that explanation falls a little short...get it...a little short...hahhahahahahahaha

Harmony said...

I've just had a mental image of you in your court jester outfit, on the treadmill, with your little bells ringing away......LOL.....oh God I think I'm choking.