Folly, thou conquerest, and I must yield!Against stupidity the very godsThemselves contend in vain. Exalted reason,Resplendent daughter of the head divine,Wise foundress of the system of the world,Guide of the stars, who are thou then, if thou,Bound to the tail of folly's uncurb'd steed,Must, vainly shrieking, with the drunken crowd,Eyes open, plunge down headlong in the abyss.

Summary

This quote expresses the notion that no matter how strong and rational one's arguments may be, they often fail to conquer or dismiss the power of foolishness and stupidity. It suggests that even the gods themselves struggle in their attempts to confront and overcome stupidity. By personifying reason as a daughter of the divine and the guide of the cosmic order, the quote highlights the irony of reason being constantly dragged and overwhelmed by the recklessness and ignorance of folly. Ultimately, it portrays the futile struggle of reason against the intoxication and allure of folly, resulting in a disastrous plunge into chaos and destruction.

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