English Explanatory Dictionary

a fool and his money are soon parted

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. It is easy to obtain money from foolish people.
  2. It is difficult or unlikely that careless and irresponsible individuals will maintain their hold on acquired wealth.

Word forms

a fool and his money are soon parted a fool and his money a fool and his money are easily parted

Etymology

First appears c. 1587 in the publication Defense of the Government of the Church of England as If they pay a penie or two pence more for the reddinesse of them..let them looke to that, a foole and his money is soone parted. An earlier quote from 1573 by Thomas Tusser reads "A foole and his money be soone at debate: which after with sorow repents him too late."

Related words

nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people there's a sucker born every minute
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