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About this quote

What does it mean?
Knowledge without moral goodness can lead to harmful outcomes for the individual.
In plain terms
Learning is dangerous if you don't know what is good.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize moral understanding before acquiring other knowledge.

Where it applies

  • education
  • self-improvement
  • decision-making

Putting it to work

  • study ethics first
  • evaluate intentions
  • seek goodness

Questions to consider

  • What good do you seek?
  • Is knowledge neutral?

Another view

Some technical knowledge is useful regardless of moral context.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. We must not attach knowledge to the mind, we have to incorporate it there.

    Permalink to quote #15
  2. Un peu de chaque chose, et rien du tout, a la francaise.

    Permalink to quote #17
  3. All of the days go toward death and the last one arrives there.

    Permalink to quote #14

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