Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain.

What it means

The English general Talbot says it as his army breaks against a peasant girl. Some fights cannot be won by reason. Choose your battles.

The source

"Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain." Schiller said it in The Maid of Orleans 3.6. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."

Original German, The Maid of Orleans 3.6. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Schiller (1759–1805). German playwright and poet of freedom, author of Wilhelm Tell and the Ode to Joy. Goethe's closest friend.

Questions

What does "Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain." mean?

The English general Talbot says it as his army breaks against a peasant girl. Some fights cannot be won by reason. Choose your battles.

Who said "Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain."?

Schiller (1759–1805). Source: The Maid of Orleans 3.6.

What is the original German?

Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Against stupidity the gods themselves fight in vain." (Schiller, The Maid of Orleans 3.6, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/against-stupidity-the-gods-themselves-fight-in-vain