He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.

Old Chinese Proverb
Comments (47)
Posted on: December 9, 2011 in Quotes

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  • http://joeandancy.com/ Joe Abraham

    Wow! Like that. Isn’t that true!

  • http://www.revivallifestyle.com Daniel Vogler

    Very good word. This reminds me at my high school chemistry class I chose back in the days. I had no clue about the topic and started asking questions like crazy every single time we had class. Since some of my questions were very basic, I pretty soon had the reputation as “chemistry fool”. My teacher even approached me and said I should switch classes and do something else. All of this only motivated me  more and I ended up ranking school highest in all chemistry tests that year. This taught me that we can really teach ourselves anything as long as we can embrace the process of being a learner. I’ve never been afraid of asking “stupid questions” again. 

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

      Awesome testimony Daniel!  Keep asking, it shows your open to knew ideas and not afraid to challenge old ones.  I heard someone say once that when you stop learning you stop living.   

  • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

    Alright, so how long is forever? 

  • http://avajae.blogspot.com Ava Jae

    This is such a fantastic quote with so much truth. Much better to ask and risk looking a little silly for a few minutes than not ask and wonder about the answer forever. 

  • http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com Jon Stolpe

    A good word for the day.  I think so often we don’t want to appear “stupid” when in reality asking questions shows that we’re really interested in learning.  This quote may have to go up on my quote board at work.  Thanks for sharing it here!

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

      Good point about questions showing interest in learning.  

      • http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com Jon Stolpe

        I’d love to ask Michael Hyatt to guest post over at my blog.  Now that’s a question that may have me looking foolish. :)

        • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

          There’s a thought!  I would love to have him do that too, don’t think I have the courage though (wink). 
          Give it a shot, one never knows for certain unless they ask. 

          Example:  I once walked up to Jerry Buss (owner of Lakers) and asked for tickets to the first round of playoffs (I’m not gutsy, I simply didn’t know who he was, I only overheard his conversation that he had tickets to get rid of in the next hour) and he actually GAVE me the tickets!  I was astonished when my friend told me who I just approached!   If I had known who I was asking, I never would have had the courage.  As it was I got tickets that I couldn’t have EVER afforded on my own, 6 rows behind the Lakers bench!  I didn’t even care they lost that game! 

          • http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com Jon Stolpe

            Wow!  That is a cool story.  So what do you think Michael?

          • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

            Kudos for asking!

        • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

          I’m afraid I am not able to do that, but you get points for asking!

          • http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com Jon Stolpe

            Thanks!  I obviously understand, but I couldn’t help but ask.  Thank you so much for all the great information and encouragement that you produce here on a daily basis.  Please keep it up!

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Wonderful advice!  

  • http://theordainedbarista.com Barry Hill

    Michael, Yes, true…. but sometimes the opposite is true, too. Not like I’m telling you anything you don’t know!Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)
     28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

    • http://bentheredothat.com Ben Patterson

      Great scripture!

      • http://theordainedbarista.com Barry Hill

        Yeah, it’s one of my favorite.  I wish I was able to live it a little more! ha.

  • http://www.SpencerMcDonald.net Spencer McDonald

    In that case I say set your pride aside and go be a fool for five minutes. You might just change your life. 

    Short, sweet, and pointed post. I like it. Thank you Michael. 

  • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

    This is the proverb my school science teacher tells our class  often to encourage us ask questions. He later became the principal of our school. I cannever forget this proverb in my life.

  • Anonymous

    Great stuff.

  • http://charlielyons.ca Charlie Lyons

    Indeed. This is an excellent quote. Love it!

  • http://www.godsabsolutelove.com Patricia Zell

    Asking questions are how we internalize learning. The very process of thinking and then wording  a question personalizes the information being presented. Asking questions is one the most important actions we can do as human beings–perhaps that’s why Christ told us we should ask and receive. I wonder what our world would look like if people would ask God for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom…I wonder what it would like if we asked God to explain things to us…

  • http://bentheredothat.com Ben Patterson

    Sometimes I ask questions that I already know the answer to in hopes of eliminating potential fools in the room.

  • http://itsonlybarney.com Andrew

    That quote is so true.  If only people asked more questions, the world would be a smarter place.

    • http://bentheredothat.com Ben Patterson

      Yep!  Two ears and one mouth means twice the listening.  Or half the talking.

  • http://www.turningthepage.info Barry Pearman

    I once had a Chinese lecturer who must have known this saying well because he encouraged us to ask questions. It was my favourite class and I learnt so much, and my favourite Lecturer. 

    Its amazing how many people have some very basic questions unanswered and go though life making the same mistakes time and time again. All they need is someone to say ‘Ask me about anything at all’

    thanks Michael

  • http://www.jeffrandleman.com Jeff Randleman

    Love it!  Evernoted!

  • Lauren

    Today I was talking to a friend and commented (wearily) on the fact that my children’s Christmas break for preschool/Kindergarten is almost a month long. She said, “Oh, I’m at such a different stage! I treasure the time right now when my kids are home from college.” I thought of your post, which I’d read this morning, and my attitude shifted from, “I HAVE to take care of my kids at home for a month” to “I GET to take care of my kids at home for a month—and at an age when they are completely dazzled by the magic of Christmas!” Thank you, Michael, for encouraging my attitude shift!

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