Remember the Fool on the hill? The Beatles sang about him. Ironically, the event that inspired the Lennon-McCartney duo to pen the words to this song was the mysterious appearance and disappearance of a stranger that Paul met briefly on a hill. Even more peculiar was the fact that Paul and a friend had just been discussing the existence of God while overlooking the city of London from that hill. Paul McCartney said that his song was about a man who was considered a fool by others, but whose foolish demeanor is actually an indication of wisdom. Could this be?
Merriam-Webster defines "fool" as this:
1: a person lacking in judgment or prudence 2a: a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells, and bauble b: one who is victimized or made to appear foolish . Dupe. 3a: a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding b: one with a marked propensity or fondness for something fool. fool for candy = (David? LOL!) 4:a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard.
The Bible defines fool as one "who misuse(s) true wisdom." This definition seems to be a compilation of scriptures. Thought not all inclusive, here are a few from Psalms and Proverbs. (Note: All Biblical references are from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.)
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. (to give Thanks to God)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge."
For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.
A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
Jesus, as well, spoke of the fool. In Matthew 5:22, He said: And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
That's a pretty severe statement! Raca means empty, i.e. a senseless, empty headed man. It was a term of reproach used among the Jews in the time of Christ. Yet, the terms Raca and Fool apparently mean the same thing. However, Jesus seems to say that fool is the most evil of the two. Herein lies a mystery of semantics.
I must admit that the word "fool" has rarely been a part of my vocabulary for various reasons, like my father having told me as a child that I would go to hell if I called someone a fool. More often, other words with similar meanings are employed such as: oaf, dunce, IDIOT, JERK moron, imbecile, jackass, ASS, dope, turkey, nut…..It is interesting to note that fool appears in Scripture 194 times.
It seems remarkable and a bit mocking that Paul McCartney would ascribe the attributes of the wise to a fool.
Was he? Or was he attempting to convey that this man he had seen, who had given him the impression of appearing foolish, was in actuality very wise?
One really doesn't know for sure…other than McCartney, himself. Maybe this "fool" was merely an apparition that surfaced after a night of LSD…. Or maybe, just maybe, this was an angelic visitor who related confirmation of Paul's thought process.
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21
References:
http:/www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fool
http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Raca
Bible. New King James Version, Topical Index
Psalm 41:1 Psalm 92:6 Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 1:22 Proverbs 1:32
Proverbs 3:35 Proverbs 10:8 Proverbs 10:18 Proverbs 10:23 Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 14:9 Proverbs 14:16 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 18:7 Proverbs 20:3
Proverbs 23:9 Proverbs 26:11 Proverbs 28:26 Proverbs 29:11
Photo disclaimer: In our society, clowns are usually thought of as "fools"....and these were the cutest clowns I could find...and they DO NOT apply to the definitions in this article! 8cD!
