Alcohol gives you infinite patience for stupidity.

The words of Sammy Davis, Jr. — “Alcohol gives you infinite patience for stupidity” — are both sharp and layered with truth. Spoken by a man who lived amid the brilliance and the follies of the entertainment world, this phrase reveals the double-edged nature of alcohol and the false serenity it bestows. On the surface, it appears a jest, a witty line delivered with Davis’s characteristic charm. Yet beneath the humor lies a warning: that intoxicants can dull our spirit, granting us a false patience for that which should never be endured — stupidity, folly, and reckless behavior.

In the taverns and halls of the old world, men would gather to drink deeply, believing that wine brought out wisdom. Yet too often, wine became the shield that softened their anger at foolishness, turning sharp discernment into a hazy tolerance. This is the heart of Davis’s remark. Alcohol can make one bear what, in sobriety, should rightly be confronted. It grants a temporary calm, but this calm is not born of wisdom, rather of numbness. It is the patience of fog, not of light.

Consider the fall of the once-mighty Roman general Mark Antony, who in his indulgence of both love and drink lost the sharpness of his judgment. His patience for folly grew until he tolerated betrayal, weakness, and ill-fated decisions. Wine dulled the iron of his will, and history records not only his grandeur but also his ruin. His story illustrates how alcohol’s infinite patience can seduce even the great into embracing the foolishness that should have been resisted.

Yet there is another side. Davis himself, a man of immense talent, lived in the whirlwind of Las Vegas shows, racial barriers, and the temptations of excess. In such a world, humor became a shield. By saying these words, he unveiled a truth: that often in social settings, drink is the lubricant that allows us to endure endless chatter, shallow thinking, and reckless jest. To some, alcohol seemed like the gift of endurance; but to Davis, it was a bittersweet endurance — infinite patience, yes, but for stupidity. His wit carried the sting of experience.

The lesson, then, is not merely about alcohol but about discernment. Should one truly desire infinite patience, it must be rooted in love, in understanding, in discipline — not in the numbing of the senses. To endure foolishness without correction is to allow it to grow, like weeds in a neglected garden. The true path is to cultivate wisdom, to correct gently, and to remove oneself when folly persists. False patience, purchased through intoxication, builds no character.

In our lives, we too may face foolish words, reckless choices, or shallow pursuits. We may be tempted to soften our souls with drink or distraction. But the wise know that genuine patience comes not from a bottle, but from the steady training of the heart. The ancient Stoics bore with ignorance not through intoxication, but through philosophy, meditation, and discipline of spirit. True patience is forged, not poured.

Therefore, let this teaching be remembered: when you encounter stupidity, do not surrender to the false patience of escape. Confront it with kindness, correct it with wisdom, or walk away with dignity. Do not let your discernment be dulled, for the world depends upon the clarity of those who can see folly for what it is. Alcohol may give you laughter in the moment, but only wisdom grants you patience that endures the ages.

And so, children of tomorrow, hear the words of Sammy Davis, Jr. not merely as jest but as a lesson. Let your patience be infinite, not because your senses are clouded, but because your spirit is strong. Endure with wisdom, not with intoxication, and your life will shine clearer than any glass raised in fleeting merriment.