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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humanity possesses the intelligence to achieve great scientific feats but lacks the wisdom to maintain peace.
In plain terms
Humans are smart enough to split atoms but not wise enough to live peacefully.
What can you take from it?
Scientific intelligence does not guarantee social wisdom.

Where it applies

  • debating technology
  • discussing global conflicts
  • critiquing society

Putting it to work

  • critiquing technological progress
  • valuing wisdom over smarts

Questions to consider

  • What good is intelligence without peace?
  • How do we value wisdom?

Another view

It generalizes all humans based on collective actions.

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  3. Sectional football games have the glory and the despair of war, and when a Texas team takes the field against a foreign state, it is an army with banners.

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