Category Archives: E.M. Forster

E.M. Forster

Fools & Angels

“For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

In my Books to Read folder is E.M. Forster’s Where Angels Fear to Tread and I wondered where that familiar phrase came from. It is from Alexander Pope’s poem titled An Essay on Criticism. The phrase pits the reckless against the wise. Funny how a phrase from a poem most of us have never heard of becomes a popular idiom and makes its way to a book title as well as several song lyrics (think Elvis and Dylan).

I know in Forster’s first novel I’m in for a charming tale set in Italy with a tragic end. I’m guessing I’ll find both the idoita and the putto.