So nowadays it is the rule —
for every ebb there is a flow
for every wise man there’s a fool
and everything works out just so.
But fools find this arrangement galls —
from all sides you can see right through them.
People shout at the fools 'Fools! Fools!’
and this is very hurtful to them.
So to make fools less noticeable
and everybody still more equal
to wise men was affixed a label
to guarantee a happy sequel.
The label system never fails —
a poundsworth for a copper farthing.
People shout at the wise «Fools! Fools!»
and this way all the fools are laughing.
Вот так и ведется на нашем веку:
на каждый прилив — по отливу,
на каждого умного — по дураку,
все поровну, все справедливо.
Но принцип такой дуракам не с руки,
с любых расстояний их видно.
Кричат дуракам: «Дураки, дураки!»
А это им очень обидно.
И чтоб не краснеть за себя дураку,
чтоб каждый был выделен, каждый,
на каждого умного — по ярлыку
повешено было однажды.
Давно в обиходе у нас ярлыки —
по фунту на грошик на медный.
И умным кричат: «Дураки, дураки!»
А вот дураки — незаметны.
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