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The Fool
The figure who rejects wisdom out of pride and pays the price — every tradition treats him not as comic relief but as cautionary tale.
Judaism
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..."
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
Christianity
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee..."
Buddhism
"The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far. But a fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed."