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About this quote

What does it mean?
Posing as wise while being cunning damages trust.
In plain terms
Avoid praising cunning over true wisdom.
What can you take from it?
True wisdom beats cunning.

Where it applies

  • politics
  • management
  • community

Putting it to work

  • value honesty
  • check credentials
  • reward integrity

Questions to consider

  • How do you spot false wisdom?
  • Why does cunning harm?

Another view

Cunning can sometimes solve short-term problems.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. Fortune is like the market, where many times, if you can stay a little, the price will fall.

    Permalink to quote #101
  2. Be true to thyself, as thou be not false to others.

    Permalink to quote #103
  3. The greatest trust, between man and man, is the trust of giving counsel. For in other confidences, men commit the parts of life; their lands, their goods, thei…

    Permalink to quote #100

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