Against stupidity the very gods
Themselves contend in vain.

[Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens]

Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) German poet, playwright, critic [Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller]

The Maid of Orleans [Die Jungfrau von Orleans], Act III, sc. vi (1801) [tr. Swanwick]

Alt. trans:

• "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."
• "Against stupidity the gods themselves labor in vain."
• "Against stupidity the gods themselves fight unvictorious."
• "Against stupidity even the gods contend in vain."
• "With stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."
• "With stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain."