another bizarre question

[kaigou]

I'm sure almost all of you have heard the phrase, "better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and prove it" (with the usual web-inflected variations). But the version I came across this afternoon in a translated novel goes like this:

Far better to ask a question and be thought a fool for a moment, than to be silent and remain a fool forever.

The context of the author's use implies that it's some kind of familiar adage, but it's an inversed version that I can't recall ever seeing before. Does anyone else recognize this version? Have any idea where it comes from, or might be able to think of a possible source? Searching the net just got me a bazillion hits on the first phrase (keep-your-mouth-shut) and none that I could see on the second.

I'd just like to be able to attribute it properly whenever I quote it, although I suppose failing any actual attribution I guess I'd just use the novelist's name instead..?

Comments

[rezendi.livejournal.com]

I've heard it before several times, usually in classroom settings.

[hinotori.livejournal.com]

Japanese Proverb:
聞くは一瞬/一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥 - Kiku ha isshun/ichiji no haji, kikanu ha isshou no haji.
Lit. "To ask - a moment of shame, not to ask - a lifetime of shame."

:)

[kaigou.livejournal.com]

AHAH. Thank you. I should just put you on speed-dial, babe. My ultimate linguistic resource!

[hinotori.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I'm not complaining. Uh, if you should happen to need anything from Teh Japan during the next year ... you know where to find me. *grins*

Also, ICON LOVE. ♥

[xian-pu.livejournal.com]

i love your icon.

[askerian]

That's kind of similar to "the only stupid question is the one that goes unasked" or something.

I'm not sure they're 100% flipped versions -- there's a small difference between saying foolish things and asking a foolish question. When you're asking, you're looking for the knowledge to get rid of the foolishness; it's when you're just blurting out stuff without thinking it through properly that it would have been better to shut up, because it proves you're not even noticing you need to better yourself? Or something. Phear my half-assed philosophing. XD

[kdorian.livejournal.com]

My google-fu came up with Tom Connelly as the source, according to three or 4 pages.

[teeheeiambad.livejournal.com]

I've heard it said that Socrates, Mark Twain and Lincoln said it.

But the Japanese thing may be right. Though, it would not be uncommon for such a thing to be said, in different places, unknown to each other. So Socrates could have said it and the Japanese had a close saying.

[kaigou.livejournal.com]

The one you're thinking of that's cited as Twain et al is the first version I mentioned (the keep-your-mouth-shut), which appears to most likely have its origins in a Judaic proverb, which is roughly similar to the common adage. The one I was looking for citation on was the inverse -- do not keep your mouth shut -- and so far, following the trail of Japanese adage, it appears to originate in a Chinese saying.

Which if you think about it, has a rather amusing twist considering the Western and Eastern perspectives on what's intelligent to do/be, and what you're advised to not do. Hrm.

[surealistic-des.livejournal.com]

hmm...I heard of it too..

I remember going sorry for asking a stupid question...

and the lecturer going: There's no such thing as a stupid question. It only becomes stupid when left unasked...err among those lines anyways.. :D; or in other words, if you don't ask, you won't learn?