Who said “How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home.”?

Verified

William Cowper. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Progress of Error (1782)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Progress of Error (1782).

APA

Cowper, W. (n.d.). How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15571-how-much-a-dunce-that-has-been-sent/

MLA

Cowper, William. “How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15571-how-much-a-dunce-that-has-been-sent/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15571-how-much-a-dunce-that-has-been-sent/.