Were I not possessed with a purpose beyond my own I had better be a ploughman than a philosopher; for the ploughman lives as long as the philosopher, eats more, sleeps better, and rejoices in the bosom of his wife with less misgiving.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A philosopher without a higher purpose is worse off than a farmer, who lives better and happier.
- In plain terms
- Without a purpose beyond oneself, being a philosopher is worse than being a farmer.
- What can you take from it?
- Purposeful work brings more satisfaction than abstract thought.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is your higher purpose?
- Is intellectual work better than manual work?
Another view
This undervalues philosophy's societal role compared to manual labor.
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