"What is all wisdom save a collection of platitudes?"
- Norman Douglas
About this Quote
This quote by Norman Douglas is a reflection on the nature of wisdom. He is recommending that knowledge is not necessarily something that is profound or complex, however rather a collection of simple, common expressions or platitudes. He is indicating that wisdom is not necessarily something that is tough to comprehend, however rather something that is easily accessible and can be found in daily life. He is suggesting that wisdom is not something that is special to the wise, but rather something that is offered to everyone. He is also implying that wisdom is not something that is only found in books or in the words of the wise, but rather something that is discovered in the daily discussions of individuals. In essence, he is suggesting that knowledge is something that is quickly available and can be found in the easiest of conversations.
"Raising children is an incredibly hard and risky business in which no cumulative wisdom is gained: each generation repeats the mistakes the previous one made"
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"
