If a person tells me he has been to the worst places I have no reason to judge him; but if he tells me it was his superior wisdom that enabled him to go there, then I know he is a fraud.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Visiting bad places is not a fault, but claiming it shows superior wisdom is dishonest.
- In plain terms
- Going to bad places is fine, but saying it proves wisdom is fake.
- What can you take from it?
- Humility is key; do not claim wisdom for merely surviving hardship.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you prove wisdom?
- What makes someone a fraud?
Another view
Sometimes experience does grant wisdom, so the distinction can be subtle.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves.
Permalink to quote #112 If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done.
Permalink to quote #114 For I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me.
Permalink to quote #111
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