"He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger"
- Confucius
About this Quote
This quote by Confucius highlights the value of both discovering and reasoning. He recommends that if one just learns without assuming, they are shed. This implies that finding out without understanding is insufficient. Thinking is essential to make sense of the knowledge one has acquired. On the various other hand, if one only assumes without finding out, they are in excellent danger. This recommends that without expertise, one's thoughts are not based in truth and can result in illinformed choices.
Confucius' words advise us that understanding as well as understanding are both essential for success. We must strive to find out and also believe in order to make the most of our possibility. Understanding without thinking can bring about a lack of understanding, while thinking without learning can bring about misdirected decisions. Consequently, it is essential to strike an equilibrium in between both.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"