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About this quote

What does it mean?
Optimists see only positives and pessimists only negatives, but wisdom lies in seeing reality clearly without bias.
In plain terms
Wisdom means seeing things as they are, not just good or bad.
What can you take from it?
True wisdom sees reality objectively.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • conflict resolution
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • check your biases
  • seek balanced views
  • practice realism

Questions to consider

  • Are you too optimistic or pessimistic?
  • How do you define wisdom?

Another view

Sometimes hope requires ignoring harsh truths.

More from Albert Schweitzer

  1. A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.

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  2. As soon as man does not take his existence for granted, but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious, thought begins.

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  3. I have given my life to try to alleviate the sufferings of Africa. There is something that all white men who have lived here like I must learn and know: that t…

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