"The greatest misfortune of the wise man and the greatest unhappiness of the fool are based upon convention"

Franz Schubert’s idea that the deepest misfortunes and unhappinesses experienced by both the wise and the foolish are rooted in convention provokes reflection on the broader impact of societal norms. Conventions, unwritten rules and accepted customs, govern daily behavior, regulate aspirations, and set boundaries for what is deemed acceptable. Through this lens, Schubert suggests that suffering is not merely a product of individual failings or personal destiny, but is profoundly shaped by the invisible structures of society.

For the wise man, convention may serve as a limitation that stifles originality, insight, and authentic expression. Possessing clarity of thought and a moral or intellectual compass that transcends everyday norms, the wise are often forced into conflict with majority expectations. Their misfortune lies in seeing beyond, yet being constrained within, the arbitrary limitations imposed by custom. The friction between what could be and what is permitted by convention generates an existential discomfort, a sense of being caged by a world operating below its potential.

Conversely, the fool, one who might lack critical perspective or simply accept things as they are, finds unhappiness in a different but equally potent way. He is subject to convention as an obedient adherent, shaped and directed by customs without question. When those conventions turn hollow, become oppressive, or fail to satisfy genuine needs, the fool remains bound by them, experiencing dissatisfaction without recognizing its source. Unhappiness, then, comes not from conscious rebellion but from unrecognized servitude.

By juxtaposing the fates of both wise and fool, Schubert acknowledges that no one is immune to convention’s grip, regardless of insight or ignorance. Ultimately, the quote speaks to the universality of societal influence and the tragic irony that both enlightenment and ignorance find their gravest trials in the inherited customs that order human life.