Every Man Is An Ill-Advised Fool From Time To Time

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 12 June 2025 On June 9, Frederick Forsyth, breathed his last at the age of 86. Known for his gripping and meticulously detailed thrillers, Forsyth successfully captured the imagination of readers worldwide with his stories of suspense and espionage. The man was also known for his sharp wit and wisdom and many of his famous statements have become aphorisms like these two: Every man is an ill-advised fool from time to time AND The world is not defined by the boundaries of our own vision. His first quote eloquently captures the essence of human fallibility and fraility. Regardless of one's intellect or wisdom, there are moments in life when even the most well-intentioned individuals make regrettable decisions. It highlights the undeniable truth that no one is immune to making mistakes or being led astray by their own impulses or limited perspective. This quote prompts us to embrace our own vulnerabilities, acknowledge our imperfections, and perhaps exercise greater understanding and empathy towards others when they too succumb to their own foolishness. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that the path to wisdom is often paved by the lessons we learn from our own ill-advised actions. This also gives us some sort of cathartic consolation and a sense of gloating egalitarianism that all humans, without an exception, are liable to err. In other words, to err is human. We all face almost the same plights, mishaps and disasters in life. Dil Bahal Toh Jayega Iss Khayal Se/ Haal Mil Gaya Tumhara Apne Haal Se (This thought will give me a semblance of satisfaction that we're sailing in the same boat). Stupidity, if it's not congenital, may also teach us a lesson or two. In the second quote, Forsyth suggests that the limits of our own vision should not be mistaken for the vastness and diversity of the world itself. Often, we tend to view the world through the narrow lens of our own experiences and perspectives, failing to acknowledge the multitude of cultures, beliefs, and experiences that exist beyond our immediate surroundings. Forsyth urges us to break free from the limitations of our own perception, encouraging us to embrace the unknown, to explore, to engage with others, and to broaden our worldview. By doing so, we can fully appreciate the breadth and richness of human existence, recognizing that our own vision only scratches the surface of what the world has to offer. To quote Urdu poet, Amjad Islam Amjad, "Apne Ufaq Ko Hi Aakhri Na Samajh / Abhi Aur Aafaaq Hain Duniya Ke" (Don't think that your horizon is the ultimate/ Many horizons are still remaining) or Saqib Jaleel's "Tu Apni Nazar Se Hi Duniya Ko Dekhta Raha/ Kabhi Duniya Ki Nazar Se Bhi Duniya Ko Dekh" (You always looked at the world from your perspective/ Now look at the world from its perspective). What we know or understand has its limitations. We need to broaden our vision and enlarge our limits of comprehension. The world doesn't begin and end with y(our) limited scope of thinking. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/man-ill-advised-fool-time/d/135847 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism