What Kind of Fool am I?

Distinguishing the Five Types of Fools

“What Kind of Fool Am I?” was a popular song published by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly in 1962. It was introduced in the musical Stop the World-I Want To Get Off. Sammy Davis Jr. made it a big hit that year, although many other artists have recorded it. For some random and odd reason it runs through my brain lately. Here is the first stanza:

What kind of fool am I

Who never fell in love?

It seems that I’m the only one

That I have been thinking of

Our world is full of “me-centric” thinking. We all humanly do it. It’s the thinking that says, “It’s all about me.” Marriages are ruined, once successful people crash because they won’t listen to others, and like the song says, we become “the only one that I’ve been thinking of.” Life’s troubles are definitely magnified when we have the belief that life is all about us.

Actually, the Bible says that there are different types of fools. Now for those of you who are well read in all things Biblical, you will know that Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 …”but anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in the danger of the fire of hell.” The literal translation of the word “fool” used in this passage means worthless one. If you take a few moments to read the passage in context, you will learn that Jesus is talking about having uncontrolled anger toward our family and friends.

So what are the five types of fools that the Bible describes?

1. A Simple Fool: “pethly” he/she enjoys simple-mindedness (Prov. 1:22) He believes every word he hears(Proverbs 14:15) He/she does not foresee evil. (Proverbs 22:3)
2. A Reactionary Fool: “eviyl” He despises wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7) He troubles his own family (Proverbs 11:29) He/she is an angry person (Proverbs 27:3)
3. Unreasonable fool: “keciyl” He/she brings grief to his parents (Proverbs 17:25) He squanders his resources (Proverbs 21:20) He/she overlooks obvious lessons (Proverbs17:14)
4. Scorning Fool: “luwts” He/she does not listen to verbal rebuke. He/She damages the reputation of others (Proverbs 9:7) He/she does not listen to constructive criticism. (Proverbs 13:1)
5. Committed Fool: “nabal” He/she exalts himself in pride (Proverbs 30:32) He says in his heart “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) He looks for platforms from which to speak (Proverbs 17:7)

We all have days when the song “What Kind of Fool Am I?” is our theme song for the day. But if we can learn to let go of our own agendas and plans, we can begin to live our days as “God-centric” instead of making the world all about us.