One fool makes many One fool makes many Today I was talking to my dad about the adverse effects of human interaction with nature. We were discussing the topic of eco-consciousness. I said that in fac

One Fool Makes Many

Today I was talking with my dad about the adverse effects of human interaction with nature. More specifically, we were discussing the topic of eco-consciousness. I said that it is a fact that almost everyone realizes that we are biting the hand that feeds us with respect to pollution, but no one actually takes any measures to prevent our future generations from living in a “cesspool”. For example, in a myriad of countries, including the one where I live, many do not see it as a big deal merely to toss their litter onto the streets. Although unfortunate, and certainly relevant to my query below, that is not the point behind my post.

Instead, during my conversation with my dad, I used a standard Russian expression for which I later found an English equivalent. That expression is, “One fool makes many”. As a result, I want to know if I can use this phrase to describe the act of littering mentioned above. For example, in comparing two men who do opposite deeds—one good and one bad—one man drops his cigarette butt on the ground, and the other picks it up and puts it into a garbage can. In this instance, if I used the saying, “One fool makes many,” would it be appropriate?*

Hi, Katerina. Good job! Whatever changes I made were to allow your sentences to sound more natural to my native ears, to clarify your thoughts, for conciseness, and for ease of reading. Sincerest apologies if I have misinterpreted. I hope that this helps you. Jonathan

*Please ignore everyone laughing in the background, but as a native speaker, I like to think of myself not only as a well-read individual, but also as someone who is knowledgeable about the English language and its culture. Yet, I have never heard or seen that expression until reading it in your post. That leads me to believe that it was popular long before I was born, as well as had already died out by the time I came of age. I also believe (after a few internet searches…) that it is a truncation of “One fool makes many, but a thousand wise men cannot make one man wise.”

Regardless, if I understood your example correctly, one man is doing the opposite of the other. Therefore, no, using the expression in that instance would not be appropriate, as the foolish act of the first man did not cause the second man to do something foolish as well. On the other hand, if the second man, who has just finished his can of soda, also tossed it on the ground rather than putting in the trash can, then, your expression works perfectly, as the act of the first man, influences, or “makes” the other do what he did. Similarly, if yet a third man, who saw the earlier acts of the others, and upon finishing his sandwich, then tosses the plastic wrapper on the ground. The other men influenced him also, so most definitely, and to paraphrase, “One fool made many!” (Or, at least two!)

As an aside, even as a somewhat innocent young man, quite often my excuse, my rationalization, for doing something wrong (shoplifting, smoking, jaywalking, etc.) or dangerous (climbing on roofs, hanging on to passing cars while skateboarding, etc.), or whatever, was that my friends (or, more likely, my older brothers!) were also doing it. For some unknown reason, my parents never accepted the logic of that, and consequently, I received an appropriate punishment. Surely, they must have felt I was among the “many,” and my actions certainly validated the truth behind it… (*-^)

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