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Suffer fools gladly

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Suffer fools gladly means to tolerate stupidity or incompetence with patience; often used negatively to indicate unwillingness to do so, it reflects intellectual arrogance, frustration, or selective tolerance in social interaction.

Detailed Definition
Suffer fools gladly means to tolerate foolish, tedious, or irritating people with patience. It is often used negatively, as in “does not suffer fools gladly”, suggesting impatience with stupidity or incompetence. In poetry, the idiom can characterise sharp-minded speakers, stern teachers, proud leaders, or socially impatient figures. It may imply admirable standards, but also arrogance or lack of compassion. A poet can use it to explore judgement, tolerance, wit, and the thin line between discernment and disdain.
Example
Example in poetry:
A character poem might say the stern schoolmistress does not suffer fools gladly; In satire, the wise fool suffers fools gladly because he knows he is one too; The phrase means to have little patience with stupidity; A poet can use it for sharp temperament.
Additional Notes
Suffer fools gladly usually appears in the negative: not suffer fools gladly means not tolerate foolishness patiently. The phrase has biblical resonance and a formal, slightly severe tone. In poetry, it can characterise sharp intelligence, impatience, pride, or moral seriousness. Students should ask whether the refusal is admirable discernment or lack of kindness. It pairs well with teachers, prophets, critics, rulers, and speakers whose wit cuts quickly.
Also Known As
tolerate
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