F.—I happen to have heard that in such a case the one is as great a fool as the other.
PH.—Then there is no distinction between folly and philosophy?
F.—Don't lay the flattering unction to your soul. The province of folly is to ask unanswerable questions. It is the function of philosophy to answer them.
PH.—Admirable fool!
F.—Am I? Pray tell me the meaning of "a fool."
PH.—Commonly he has none.
F.—I mean—
PH.—Then in this case he has one.
F.—I lick thy boots! But what does Solomon indicate by the word fool? That is what I mean.
PH.—Let us then congratulate Solomon upon the agreement between the views of you two. However, I twig your intent: he means a wicked sinner; and of all forms of folly there is none so great as wicked sinning. For goodness is, in the end, more conducive to personal happiness—which is the sole aim of man.