Even More Wise Quotes
Knowledge by definition is the collection of facts and information that you gather through learning over the course of your life time. For many people this is purely optional. That however, is a different matter entirely that I won’t address here in this blog post. Returning to the matter in hand, wisdom is the ability to use that wealth of the aforementioned acquired knowledge, to make sound judgments and actions. Wisdom is also predicated upon the ability to think critically and apply the knowledge one has acquired, logically to any problem or issue one is confronted with. Can such wisdom be conveyed in a simple statement or aphorism? I believe so. Here are a few quotations that I think make a sound point and make it well.
Knowledge by definition is the collection of facts and information that you gather through learning over the course of your life time. For many people this is purely optional. That however, is a different matter entirely that I won’t address here in this blog post. Returning to the matter in hand, wisdom is the ability to use that wealth of the aforementioned acquired knowledge, to make sound judgments and actions. Wisdom is also predicated upon the ability to think critically and apply the knowledge one has acquired, logically to any problem or issue one is confronted with. Can such wisdom be conveyed in a simple statement or aphorism? I believe so. Here are a few quotations that I think make a sound point and make it well.
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” William Shakespeare (As You Like It)
This sentiment has been expressed by many people over the years, mainly because it is true.
“That is the essence of science: ask an impertinent question, and you are on the way to a pertinent answer.” Jacob Bronowski
I miss the avuncular musings of the late Professor. He went too soon.
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Albert Einstein
Change can be challenging.
“Half of life is fucking up, the other half is dealing with it.” Henry Rollins
It’s the people that fuck up and don’t deal with it who are the ones you need to worry about.
“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” Robin Williams
Eschew such people.
“We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities.” Oscar Wilde
This is especially true today.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Carl Sagan
I find great comfort and hope in this concept.
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine
Most people are equipped to deal with honesty.
“Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.” Benjamin Franklin
The cult of perfection remains with us today.
“There’s no master conspiracy in anything, not even in governments. Everything is just some kind of vaguely organised chaos.” John Lydon
This has also been my experience. Things tick over because a handful of people do all of the societal heavy lifting and the rest of us follow in their wake.
Bonus quote:
“Never laugh at live dragons.” J.R.R. Tolkien
Or steal their gold.
Finding Wisdom in Quotes
Today’s scheduled Blaugust Promptaplaooza writing prompt is “what is/are your favourite quote(s)”. Now I have always had a liking for quotes and feel that a well selected one can often contribute to a good conversation. Something like “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” which is attributed to Edmund Burke. Furthermore, a cunning quotation can also be used to bluff your way through a discussion, especially if it’s a subject that you have no knowledge of. The more esoteric the quote the better, I find. Something like Immanuel Kant’s “Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck”. And I also have a tendency to append day to day statements with obscure pop culture references, mainly for my own amusement. I often shout “Bullshit, Mr Han Man!” at the TV, when politicians are interviewed on the news.
Marcus Aurelius is a source of numerous good quotes
Today’s scheduled Blaugust Promptaplaooza writing prompt is “what is/are your favourite quote(s)”. Now I have always had a liking for quotes and feel that a well selected one can often contribute to a good conversation. Something like “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” which is attributed to Edmund Burke. Furthermore, a cunning quotation can also be used to bluff your way through a discussion, especially if it’s a subject that you have no knowledge of. The more esoteric the quote the better, I find. Something like Immanuel Kant’s “Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck”. And I also have a tendency to append day to day statements with obscure pop culture references, mainly for my own amusement. I often shout “Bullshit, Mr Han Man!” at the TV, when politicians are interviewed on the news.
So with this in mind I have selected one serious quote that I feel is especially relevant at present, especially in light of “post truth culture” and the current state of tribalistic and acrimonious public discourse. The rest are film quotes. Some of these illustrate a wider philosophical point. Others just amuse and entertain me.
The pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
Excalibur (1981)
Escape From New York (1981)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
The Warriors (1979)
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
Wild Geese (1978)
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Fellow blogger Wilhelm Arcturus has also tackled this writing prompt today. You can find his thoughts on the matter over at his blog The Ancient Gaming Noob.
Knowledge by definition is the collection of facts and information that you gather through learning over the course of your life time. For many people this is purely optional. That however, is a different matter entirely that I won’t address here in this blog post. Returning to the matter in hand, wisdom is the ability to use that wealth of the aforementioned acquired knowledge, to make sound judgments and actions. Wisdom is also predicated upon the ability to think critically and apply the knowledge one has acquired, logically to any problem or issue one is confronted with. Can such wisdom be conveyed in a simple statement or aphorism? I believe so. Here are a few quotations that I think make a sound point and make it well.