The source of the quotation “Wisdom cries out in the streets and no man regards it” that Bill Jordan has found perennially useful (TES 2, November 11) is not from Shakespeare but from the Book of Proverbs in the Authorised Version of the Holy Bible.
The words are a conflation of verse 20 and part of verse 24 of chapter one: “Wisdom crieth without: she uttereth her voice in the streets” (20) . . . “and no man regarded” (24).
In the spirit of the first half of verse five of the same chapter, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning”, Mr Jordan will now be able to use his own derived version with greater force.
TERENCE TOOKEY
Highfield, Smithy Bank
Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
