NO JOY IN WATCHING FOOLS 

     I’ve been blessed to ‘slug it out’ in real life with several careers in which I have achieved a variety of success and excellence. One of which was in the news game, where I was an award-winning reporter in many of the various disciplines. Of course, I have also had a great deal of success as a syndicated columnist, which—to me—is a merger of Journalism, research, and opinion. 

     Now, on to my topic. 

     More than two decades back, I wrote a column entitled: Sagging Pants: The Real Deal. A college professor read the column and wanted permission to add it to her curriculum to teach in her class. Of course, I was both honored—and a bit saddened that we—as a people—were dealing with a subject that should be so basic to the achievement of our young people that it wound up as a part of a college course. 

     Much of what I said in the column has been repeated by many of our young people today. The conclusion that I have reached? There is a liberal sprinkling of fools among every race. No matter how you slice it, there are fools walking among us. Little can be done to change the direction of a fool unless they want to change. Otherwise, the end of the road is obvious to those who disobey their parents, teachers, and the village—they become cold statistics buried under grave markers along the side of the road of life. 

     There are several major passages in The Book of Proverbs that deals with fools. In fact, in this biblical book, the word fool–and its various spellings—is listed more than seventy times. The most powerful verse on the subject, in my opinion? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. This comes from Proverbs 1:7 (KJV). 

     Fools and foolishness can be found in any race, and in any place. We see such an abundance of it in our day for several reasons, one of which is the coming Rapture of the Church, and the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. No, this might hurt more than a few feelings—especially among the so-called social justice woke warriors of our modern age. There is still a need for Jesus Christ and His Word in our modern era. 

     IF we had more homes that blew the dust off of their KJVs and parents who taught—and modeled–good religion in them—instead of awaiting the church to teach it in one-hour bites a few times a week, there would be a SEVERE drop in the fools that we see on social media posing for their foolish friends. But alas, until parents take up this simple solution, the problem will continue to grow, expand, and infect yet another generation in our—and other—villages. 

     Fools are born in the home…but breed in our schools, churches, and streets. A word to the Tribe. Now that you have it…what are YOU going to do about it? For, at the bottom line, NONE of us enjoy watching fools…not even those who happen to arise in our own homes. 

     I understand how hard it is to watch the foolish…even in our homes. However, I recall one very pointed African proverb: “Give advice. IF they do not take it…let adversity teach them.” One sage Pastor, a Dr. Dennis, from my neck of the woods was even more bold about the foolish and attempting to correct them. His words: Sometimes, you have to let some folk die. In short, there are some fools who wish to be left to themselves. Keep a firm stock of toe tags to mark the bodies. 

     Mike Ramey, M. Min., M. Th., is a Retired Minister and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a Circuit rider of the Funky Electronic Frontier. “The Ramey Commentaries” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. Catch Mike Ramey’s columns on Faithwriters.com and in fine publications like this one! To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com. ©2026 Barnstorm Communications International