Before Socrates became a philosopher, he believed he was a fool. All his friends told him he was a fool, the men he did business with called him a fool, and his wife told him what a fool he was every day, so he took it for granted that since they all agreed, they must be right.

But he thought to himself, maybe even a fool can learn a little wisdom if he listens to what wise men have to say. So he sought out the reputed wisest men in Athens to teach him. They were generally happy to oblige such a humble student, but as he listened to them expound their philosophies he realized they were all fools as well, only they thought they were wise.

And so he finally realized that he was the wisest man in Athens, since all men were fools but most believed themselves wise, while he at least knew that he was a fool.

Realizing that you are a fool is therefore the first step toward attaining true wisdom.

 
Warning: definitely NOT safe for work!

 

A yogi was meditating on the banks of the Ganges when he saw a scorpion float by trapped in the current and about to drown. Without a moments hesitation he reached out his hand and scooped out the scorpion to save it.

As soon as he was safely clear of the water, the scorpion stung the yogi's hand and jumped away.
The sting was not deadly, but it was extremely painful.

The surprised yogi asked, "Why did you sting me? Don't you understand I just saved your life?"

"Well yes" replied the scorpion, "but you see I am a scorpion, and it is my nature to sting",
as he scurried off into the jungle heading upstream.

A few minutes later the yogi saw the scorpion floating by again, and again he reached out and scooped it out, and again he was stung.

This time it was the scorpion who was surprised, and he asked "Why did you save me again? Don't you understand I would only sting you again?"

"Well yes", he replied, "but you see I am a yogi, and it is MY nature to selflessly help others."

1. To provide permanent employment for all the prohibition agents who were supposed to be let go after the end of alcohol prohibition. (Harry Anslinger's private little empire.)

2. To provide an excuse for police to harass and arrest uppity Negroes and Chicanos who have committed no crime.

3. To protect artificial fiber and wood pulp interests (DuPont and Gannet) from free-market competition
from superior natural hemp fiber suddenly made cheaper by the invention of the hemp decorticator in the 1930's.

4. To provide an excuse for the Federal government to use secret police to spy on, harass and persecute
political dissidents, especially anti-war activists. (Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan)

5. To provide an excuse for the U.S. military to intervene directly in the internal affairs of our Latin American client dictatorships.

6. To provide continuing revenue to all the parasitic drug-war profiteers both inside and outside the government.

7. To promote the far right's agenda to undermine and destroy the U.S. Constitution, Democracy, and the rule of law.

8. To implement the Illuminatti's agenda to subvert scientific progress and keep humanity in a state of undeveloped ignorance and slavery fnord.

Seems like I've watched this happen several times in my area:

Town A government debates banning smoking in restaurants and bars;
local paper prints interviews with bar owners complaining it will put them out of business.

Town A government passes ban on smoking in restaurants and bars;
local paper prints interviews with bar owners in adjoining town B rejoicing at prospect
of increased business from town A smokers.

Three to six months later:
Local paper prints article on how restaurants and bars haven't gone out of business yet;
restaurant and bar owners interviewed say business seems to be up a bit, new customers
include more families with kids and elderly.

One year later:
Local paper prints statistical survey of restaurants and bars showing business in town A increased 10%
since smoking ban went into effect, sidebar notes 10% DROP in town B.

One year and three months later:
Restaurant owners in town B start lobbying town government for smoking ban to try to regain
business lost to town A.