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Abstract cleverness of the mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little. In spite of what many minds have thought themselves into believing, that mistake cannot continue for much longer if everything is going to survive. The one chance we have to avoid certain disaster is to change our approach, and learn to value wisdom and contentment. These are things that are being searched for anyway, through Knowledge and Cleverness, but they do not come from Knowledge and Cleverness. They never have, and they never will. We can no longer afford to look so desperately hard for something in the wrong way and in the wrong place. If Knowledge and Cleverness are allowed to go on wrecking things, they will before much longer destroy all life on this earth as we know it, and what little may temporarily survive will not be worth looking at, even if it were possible for us to do so.

Benjamin Hoff#1

EthicsKnowledgeLifeWisdom

About this quote

What does it mean?
Overvaluing cleverness over wisdom harms reality; we must value wisdom and contentment to survive.
In plain terms
Too much thinking and not enough caring damages the world; we need wisdom.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize wisdom and contentment over mere cleverness.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • education
  • personal ethics

Putting it to work

  • seek wisdom over tricks
  • value contentment

Questions to consider

  • Are you valuing wisdom enough?
  • What does contentment mean to you?

Another view

Knowledge and cleverness are also useful tools.

More from Benjamin Hoff

  1. One sometimes gets the impression that those intimidating words are there to keep us from understanding. That way, the scholars can appear Superior, and will n…

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