April Fools’ Day means something different to everyone who observes the date. For some, it’s a chance to play April Fools’ pranks on unsuspecting victims, whether that means silly and harmless tricks for all-ages fun… or a more elaborate (and R-rated) stunt for the grown folks in the crowd.
Or maybe April 1 doesn’t mean mischief to you at all. Rather, the start of April each year can conjure all the joy and newness of the spring season, from warmer weather to wildflowers to dreamy spring break vacation ideas. To some, it means getting ready for the Easter holiday, with its cheerful decorations, indulgent and adorable dessert recipes and creative Easter egg hunt ideas. And to others, it’s about prepping for Passover and gathering friends and family for the seder dinner.
For all of the different significances of the date, April Fools’ Day can be a time for reflection… as well as good-natured humor. To that end, we rounded up the best April Fools quotes to celebrate the big day, whether in a greeting card, email, text, social media shoutout — or best of all, in person among loved ones. These quotes capture the diverse associations of the season, from Shakespearean literary references to philosophical reflections to just plain funny quotes about fools. Choose your favorites from our list to share this year on April 1 (or hey, any time a sage comment on foolishness could come in handy!).
1
Alexander Pope
For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
2
Alan Coren
I sometimes wonder if the manufacturers of foolproof items keep a fool or two on their payroll to test things.
3
Euripides
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
4
Anatole France
It is human nature to think wisely and act foolishly.
5
Mark Twain
The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.
6
Clifton Paul Fadiman
A sense of humor is the ability to understand a joke — and that the joke is oneself.
7
Will Rogers
The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.
8
William Shakespeare
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
9
Abraham Lincoln
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
10
Winston Churchill
The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.
11
Sacha Guitry
Our wisdom comes from our experience, and our experience comes from our foolishness.
12
Henry David Thoreau
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.
13
Chinese proverb
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
14
Japanese Proverb
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.
15
Edgar Allan Poe
I have great faith in fools — self-confidence, my friends call it.
16
Douglas Adams
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
17
William Shakespeare
Lord, what fools these mortals be.
18
Mae West
He who hesitates is a damned fool.
19
Plato
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something.
20
William Shakespeare
April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.
21
Benjamin Franklin
Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.
22
William Shakespeare
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself a fool.
23
Proverb
He who is born a fool is never cured.
24
Welsh Proverb
If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings.
25
Jack Handey
I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it.
26
Quintilian
Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.
27
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
A fool flatters himself, a wise man flatters the fool.
Alesandra Dubin
Freelance Writer
Alesandra is a veteran digital journalist based in Los Angeles, who has covered travel, food, events, fashion and beauty, entertainment, home, parenting, and viral content for more than 15 years.
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