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Stanza 21 continues the train of thought that began in stanza 20. In stanza 20, the greedy man eats until he is sick...and his big belly is laughed at when he is among the wise.

Here in stanza 21, lines 1 and 2 talk about how cattle or herd animals know when it is time to stop grazing (eating) and go on home.

In lines 3 and 4, the foolish man is then compared to the cattle...and falls short. The foolish man seems to be unaware of this size of his stomach (or how much he should eat).

This is sort of comparison is particularly effective, because it sort of has this smart-ass tone to it. "Even stupid herd-animals know when to stop eating and go home...but the fool just keeps gorging himself."

It has been said that this stanza could refer to more than just eating. It can refer to almost anything that a foolish person might over-do, or be unaware of his/her limits. Taking a joke too far, not knowing when to drop a conversation or argument, or putting a strain on your body or mind that is excessive or harmful.