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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wisdom involves choosing the right goals and the most effective methods to achieve them.
In plain terms
Being wise means picking good goals and good ways to reach them.
What can you take from it?
Focus on both your goals and your methods.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • personal development

Putting it to work

  • set clear goals
  • evaluate methods

Questions to consider

  • What are your best ends?
  • Are your means effective?

Another view

It assumes we can always identify the best ends and means.

More from Francis Hutcheson

  1. The ultimate notion of right is that which tends to the universal good; and when one's acting in a certain manner has this tendency he has a right thus to act.

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. That Action is best which procures the greatest Happiness for the greatest Numbers; and that worst, which, in like manner, occasions misery.

    Permalink to quote #1

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