The fool within himself is the object of pity, until he is flattered.

Summary

This quote suggests that a foolish person is deserving of pity as long as they keep their foolishness to themselves. However, once they are praised or flattered by others, they become even more pitiful. It implies that a fool's self-awareness and lack of validation from others can make them vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation, thus diminishing the little sympathy they received in the first place.

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