Tolstoy, after Rousseau, on Knowledge and Wisdom

“Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know. Among the most necessary knowledge is the knowledge of how to live well, that is, how to produce the least possible evil and the greatest goodness in one’s life. At present, people study useless sciences, but forget to study this, the most important knowledge.”

Quoting from the Bible

Didja hear the one about the two lawyers? One thought he would make an impression on the jury by quoting from the Bible. He said (concering his oponent's client), "we have it on the highest authority that it has been said, 'All that a man has will he give for his skin.'

The other lawyer, who knew his Bible, replied, "I am very much impressed by the fact that my distinguished colleague here regards as the highest authority the one who said, 'All that a man has will he given for his skin.' You will find this saying comes from the book of Job, and the one who utters it is the devil. And that is who he regards as the highest authority!"

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