for the wisdom of this world is folly, in the eye of God: as it is written, "he surprizes the wise in all their artifices."

for Christ did not send me to baptize: but to preach the gospel: tho' not with the preaching of the wise, lest the cross of Christ should have been hinder'd in its efficacy.

for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly.

for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called.

but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty:

let no man deceive himself: if any among you pretends to worldly wisdom, let him commence fool, in order to be truly wise.

and again, "the Lord knows, that the thoughts of the wise are vain."

we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt.