👋 Hey phi-lazy-phers
The pillar of philosophy that was initially most attractive to me was the act of questioning everything (I have a print hanging in my office reminding me to do so). As René Descartes said, “doubt is the origin of wisdom,” so when we challenge an idea, observe, listen, and experiment, we gain wisdom. And who wouldn’t enjoy being a little bit wiser? That’s the main reason I started this little newsletter after all.
What did history’s wisest have to say about wisdom? I’m glad you asked.
Peter Abelard
The key to wisdom is this — constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.
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Marilyn vos Savant
To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.
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Bodhidharma
Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom.
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Carl G. Jung
Where wisdom reigns, there is no conflict between thinking and feeling.
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Lao Tzu
To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.
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Aristotle
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
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Joan Chittister
Every dimension of life, its gains and its losses, are reason for celebration because each of them brings us closer to wisdom and fullness of understanding.
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Immanuel Kant
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
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Confucious
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
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Rumi
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
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Socrates
I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.
Fun fact: Homo Sapiens is Latin for "wise human." Of course, if you look around society these days, it’s understandable if you’d question that translation. The velocity with which our species is acquiring information is greatly outpacing that with which we are acquiring wisdom. This may be the reason for the mass misinformation mess we are witnessing.
It won’t happen overnight, but if we want to see a wiser world, it would behoove us to take Rumi’s advice and work on changing ourselves. Question, listen, observe, experiment, and reflect. Admit when you don’t know something, but don’t stop there—read up on what experts say, test your theories, and live an examined life.
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✌️ Until next week, happy philosophizing.
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